COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS; 



OE, 



FRENCH 



AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



FOR THE USE OF 



PUPILS AND TRAVELLERS, 



BY 



/ 



MADAME DE PEYRAC. 




NEW YORK: 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 

.346 & 848 BROADWAY. 



M DCCC LVI. 



^K at. UI^KjK^ L^V L, y^ 



z\ 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, 

By D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 

District of New York. 



PREFACE. 



French being now one of the essential branches of 
education, it is important that pupils should be taught to 
speak it ; not only fluently, but with elegance. Why is 
it that so many young persons, after studying for several 
years, are so frequently incapable of holding a conversa- 
tion in that language ? Their memory is certainly well 
stored with a variety of expressions, but how and when 
to apply them, they know not ; and the refinement which 
constitutes the great beauty of French conversations, they 
are generally unacquainted with. 

Madame Campan, whose superior talents and expe- 
rience in education have been universally acknowledged, 
understood the necessity of familiarizing her pupils with 
the true idiom of languages. She wrote a work, on a 
plan somewhat similar to the one I have adopted ; but 
the expressions used forty years ago — the manners and 
customs of those days — being now obsolete, it becomes 
essential to replace those dialogues by others more mod- 
ern, and consequently more useful ; giving the reader a 
correct idea, not only of the present style of conversa- 
tion, but also of the manner of living of the different 
classes in Paris. 



6 PREFACE. 

This work is not intended for children, bnt for yonng 
persons, who, having already partially acquired the lan- 
guage, need but the knowledge of the higher tones of 
conversation, which will enable them to appreciate the 
beauties of literature, and that brilliancy and ease of ex- 
pression which have rendered French so universal. 

In order to make this study more attractive, I have 
presented this little volume to my young readers under 
the form of a simple romance ; hoping that the interest 
they will take in those who act a part in it, will induce 
them to remember and use the expressions it contains. 
That they may be as wise and as fortunate as Marie Dar- 
ville, is the sincere wish of 

The Authoress. 



As it is impossible to introduce all the elegant expressions of the 
French language into a volume of this size, it is my intention, should 
this work prove as useful as I anticipate, to publish several series of 
conversations on the same plan. 



PEKSONNAGES. 



MaT)AMTE Daeville. 

Maeie, sa fille. 

Chaeles son fils. 

Madame i>e Paenes sa soeur. 

M. DE Paenes. 

Lauee de Paenes leur fille. 

Le Comte de MoNTEEmL. . . fiance de Lanre. 

Le Geneeal Beeteaitd ami de Madame Darville. 

Geoege Dalbeet son neveu. 

Le Geneeal Doeimont ami de Madame Darville. 

Madame Doeimont. 

Madame Beaijeoet. leur fille, 

M. Beaijfoet. 

COEALIE. 1 

Beethb y leurs enfants. 

Edmond J 

La Maeqthse de Foelis. . . connaissance de Madame de 

Parnes. 

Lb Maeqitis de Foelis son fils. 

Madame de Beevannes. 

Aethite de Beevannes son fils. 

Fanny Howaed jeune Am6ricaine adopt§e 

par Madame de Brevannes. 

La Duchessk de Ltjssan. 
Le Drc de Lussan. 
Madame Meecotjet. 
M. Meecouet. 
LoED Stanley. 

M. Sanival , cousin de Madame Mercourt. 

L'Aechev£qub de Toues. 

M. Daveiqny Pr^fet de Tours. 

Madame Daveigny. 
Le Dootetjb Tauein, 



her daughter, 
her son. 
her sister. 

their daughter. 
engaged to Laura. 
Mrs. Darville's Mend, 
his nephew. 
Mrs. Darville's friend. 

their daughter. 



their children. 

an acquaintance of Madame 

de Parnes. 
her son. 

her son. 

a young American girl, 

adopted by Madame de 

Brevannes. 



Mrs, Mercourt's cousin. 



8 y PEESONNAGES. 

Maeotteritb Flobeeb ouvriere. 

Albert. son fils. " her son. 

Madame Eabot concierge. porter's wife. 

Madame de B aisieux couturiere, mantua-maker. 

Mademoiselle Hekmillb... lingere. a linen-draper. 

Un Joailliee a jeweller. 

Un Commis a clerk. 

Demoiselle de BoiTTiQirE a shop-girl. 

Dettx petites Oephellnes two little orphan girls. 

BoNCHAMP domestique de Madame Dar- Mrs. Darville's servant 

ville. 

SuzBTTE sa femme de chambre. her maid. 

Antoinb maitre d'hotel de Madame Madame de Parnes' stew- 

de Parnes. ard. 

Jacques valet de pied. a footman. 

Justine femme de chambre. Madame de Parnes' maid. 

Un Domestique a waiter. 

Une Ouvebusb a box-keeper. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



CHAPITRE I. 
PARIS, 

L'HOTEL DE HOLLANDE, 
Rue de la Paix. 



MaBIE. SUZETTE. 



CHAPTER I. 

PARIS, 

The Hotel de Hollande, 

Rue de la Paix, 



Marie. — Suzette. 



Marie. 



Marie. 



Suzette, maman, est-elle le- Suzette, is mamma up 3 
vee? 

Suzette. Suzette. 

Oh ! il y a longtemps, made- Oli ! miss, she has been up 

moiselle, madame est a Teglise some time and in church for 

depuis une heure. the last hour. 



Marie. 

Pourquoi ne m'as-tu pas re- 
veillee ? j'y serais allee avec 
elle; tu sais combien j'aimais 
mes promenades du matin a 
VogeroUes. 

1* 



Marie. 

Why did you not wake me ? 
I should have gone with her ; 
you know how I used to enjoy 
my morning walks at Voge- 
roUes. 



10 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

SUZETTE. SUZETTE. 

Oui, mademoiselle; mais a Yes, miss; but in Paris the 

Paris I'air n'est pas bon comme air is not as pure as in the 

a la campagne, et, d'ailleurs, country, and, besides, madam 

madame m'a bien recommande has given me positive orders 

de laisser dormir mademoiselle ; not to disturb you in the morn- 

elle craint que la vie de Paris ing ; she fears the fatiguing life 

no vous rende malade. you lead here may injure your 

health, 

Marie. Marie. 

Bonne mere ! quelle tendres- Dearest mother ! what love ! 

se ! quels soins ! Sais-tu, Su- what care she bestows on me ! 

zette, que je me reproche pres- Do you know, Suzette, that I 

que de 1' avoir engagee a quitter almost reproach myself for hav- 

notre vieux chateau, notre doux ing induced her to leave our old 

calme des bois, pour cette vie castle, the sweet quietude of our 

bruy ante, etourdissante, que Ton woods, for the noisy bustle of 

mene ici. Depuis un mois que this place. We have only been 

nous sommes a Paris, plus d'une here a month, and I have already 

fois je Tai entendue soupirer ; heard her sigh several times : it 

cela me chagrine ; mais aussi distresses me ; but could I avoid 

pouvais-je ne pas desirer ce wishing that we might take this 

voyage ?lorsqueleslettresde ma trip, when my cousin Laura's 

cousine Laure, etaient pleines letters were fall of glowing de- 

de descriptions superbes des scriptions of Paris and its many 

charmes de Paris; je ne pensais charms ? I thought of nothing 

qu'a cela, je n'en dormais pas, else, night and day. It haunted 

enfin Charles s'est decide a me me, until I persuaded Charles to 

preter son eloquence et j'ai ga- lend me his eloquence. The 

gne mon proces. Nous voila a suit was won, and here we are 

Paris, dans ce beau Paris, la ca- in Paris, this magnificent Paris, 

pitale du monde civilise, comme the capital of the civihzed world, 

disait notre vieux voisin Mon- as our old neighbor Mr. Ber- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 11 

sieur Bertrand. Mais, Suzette, trand used to call it* But, Su- 

tu ne me parais pas aussi emer- zette, you are not quite as 

veillee toi, regretterais-tu Vo- amazed as I am. Do you re- 

gerolles ? gret Vogerolles ? 



Suzette, 

Mais — oui, mademoiselle, et 
vous le comprendrez facilement. 
Nee en Touraine, elevee par les 
bontes de madame votre mere, 
partageant toujours vos jeux, 
vos plaisirs, j'etais parfaitement 
heureuse, et jamais je n'ai reve 
d'autres joies que celles du cha- 
teau ou du village. Vous y 
etiez heui'euse aussi, Mademoi- 
selle Marie, il y a quelques 
mois ; vous y avez laisse de bons 
amis, notre venerable pasteur, 
Monsieur Bertrand, Monsieur 
George Dalbret. 

Marie, 

George! oui, c'est un cbar- 
mant gar^on que j'aime since- 
rement. Que de fois j'ai fait 
des promenades a cbeval avec 
Charles et lui. Nous partions 
au jour ; rien n'est beau comme 
le lever du soleil dans notre 
Touraine, lorsque ses premiers 
rayons viennent dorer nos plai- 
nes fleuries ; je laissais flotter 
les renes sur le cou de ma Gi- 



SUZETTE. 

Well — yes, miss, and you will 
easily understand why* I was 
born in Touraine, brought up 
under the kind care of your mo- 
ther, always sharing your pleas- 
ures and sports. I was perfectly 
satisfied, and never thought of 
other joys than those of the old 
castle and the village. You, 
too, were happy there, a few 
months ago, Miss Marie ; you left 
many kind friends, our vener- 
able pastor, Mr. Bertrand, Mr, 
George Dalbret. 



Marie, 

George ! yes, he is a fine fel- 
low, and I am truly attached to 
him. Many a pleasant ride on 
horseback have I taken with 
Charles and him. We would 
start at daybreak ; nothing can 
exceed the beauty of a sunrise 
in our Touraine, when its rays 
begin to gild our flowery fields; 
my reins would hang loose on 
Giselle's neck, while the zephyrs 



12 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS* 

selle, la brise du matin nous of the morning wafted the 
apportait ies parfums des bois. budding perfumes towards us. 
Puis, nous partions au grand Then we started on a full gal- 
galop ; — Giselle depassait Spark lop ; — Giselle would pass Spark 
et Flash, — -j 'arrivals au but, — and Flash, — I reached the goal, 
haletante — essouflee — mais glo- panting — exhausted — but ela- 
rieuse de ma victoire, heureuse ted with success, so happy, par- 
surtout, lorsque j'entendais mes ticularly when I heard my 
deux cavaliers crier : " Marie ! companions cry out : " Marie ! 
Marie ! de la prudence !" George Marie ! be prudent !" George, 
aussi m'appelait Marie alors, too, would call me Marie then ; 
mais bah ! . . . . vois-tu, Suzette, — but nonsense, Suzette, all this 
il faut oublier tout cela, car je must be forgotten. A mar- 
veux etre marquise, il me faut des chioness I must be, diamonds 
diamants, des cachemires, un and cashmeres. I must have, 
equipage ; Laure dit que tout besides, a splendid equipage , 
cela est indispensable. Tiens, Laura says these things are in- 
j'entends la sonnette, c'est sans dispensable to one's happiness, 
doute maman qui rentre de I'e- There, — I hear the bell ; mam- 
glise ; va vite lui ouvrir. ma has probably returned from 

church, run and open the door 

for her. 

Suzette. Suzette. 

J'y cours. • Yes, miss. 

Marie. Marie. 

Aliens embrasser cette bonne I must get a kiss from that 

mere. dp^r mother. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PABIS. 



13 



CHAPITEE 11. 

Madame Daeyille. — Marie.- 

SUZETTE. 



CHAPTER n. 

Mrs. Darville. — Marie, — 

SUZETTE. 



Madame Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Bonjour, mon enfant, as-tu Good morning, darling, had 
bien dormi ? you a good night's rest ? 



Marie. 

Trop bien, trop longtemps, 
chere petite mere de mon coeur. 
Sais-tu que ce n'est pas gentil 
a toi de sortir sans moi ; de me 
laisser faire la paresseuse ; je 
prendrai de mauvaises habitu- 
des dans ce vieux Paris. 



Marie. 

Too good, too long, dearest 
mother. Do you know, it was 
very naughty in you to go out 
in this way, without me ; to 
allow me to indulge so much ; 
I shall acquire bad habits in 
this old Paris. 



Mme. Darville. 

Chaque chose a son temps ; 
a la campagne, le sommeil est 
moins necessaire qu'ici. Mais 
il me semble que tu es bien 
rouge ; tu etais assise trop pres 
du feu sans doute ? 



cases ; 



Mrs. Darville. 

Circumstances alter 
sleep is more essential to you 
here than in the country. But 
you are flushed, you have been 
sitting near the fire, I suppose ? 



Marie. Marie. 

JSTon, vraiment, mais je viens No, indeed, but I was giving 

de donner a Suzette une descrip- Suzette a graphic description 

tion de mes promenades a cheval of my rides on horseback at 



14- COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

a YogeroUes, et positivement je Vogerolles, and positively fan- 

me croyais sur le dos de Giselle, cied myself on Giselle's back. 

Mme. Darville, Mrs, Darville. 

Tu serais mieux la qu'ici, You would be far better 

mon enfant; — n'importe, nous there than here, my child; — 

voila a Paris, je veux que tu but it matters not, we are in 

jouisses de tons ses charmes ; Paris, and I wish you to enjoy 

quand tu en seras fatiguee, nous all its advantages ; when you 

retournerons a Vogerolles; je are weary of them, we will 

vous laisse libres, Charles et toi, return to Vogerolles ; I leave 

a cet egard. Charles and you entirely free 

on the subject, 

Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! alors chere mere, pre- Oh ! then, dear mother, let us 

nons un appartement de suite ; take an apartment at once ; six 

car six mois me suffiront a months will be scarcely suffi- 

peine pour connaitre toutes les cient to see all the wonders of 

merveilles de cette grande capi- this great capital ; I must see 

tale ; je veux tout voir, tout en- all, hear all, and 

tendre, et 

Mme. Darville* Mrs. Darville, 

Doucement, Marie, tu prends Gently, Marie, you are racing 

encore le galop; d'ici a quel- again; perhaps, before a few 

ques semaines, tu auras pent- weeks, you will have altered 

etre change d'avis. Mais il est your mind on the subject. But 

tard : Suzette, prenez mon cha- it is late : Suzette, take my bon- 

peau, et dites a Bonchamp de net and tell Bonchamp to bring 

servir le dejeuner; je Tavais up breakfast; I had ordered it 

demande pour dix heures. Mon for ten o'clock. Is my son in 

fills est-il chez lui ? his room ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 
SUZETTE. SUZETTE. 

Je vais m'en informer, ma- I will inquire, ma'am, 
dame. 



15 



Mme. Daryxlle. — Marie.- 
Charles. — Bonchamp. 



Mrs. Darville. — Marie.- 
Charles. — Bonchamp. 



Charles (embrassant sa mere), 

Bonjour, cliere mere, com- 
ment deja en courses si matin? 
(d Marie) je presente mes tres 
humbles salutations a la mar- 
quise de Carabas. 



Charles {kissing his mother). 

Good morning, dear mother, 
what ! out already ? {to Marie) 
I present my most humble sal- 
utations to the marchioness of 
Carabas. 



Marie {saluant), Marie {bowing). 

Marquise, oui, mais pas de A marchioness, yes, sir, but 
Carabas, monsieur le railleur. not of Carabas, Mr. Jester. 



Bonchamp. 
Madame est servie. 



Bonchamp. 
Breakfast is ready, ma'am. 



CHAPITRE III. 
Le Dejeuner. 



CHAPTER III 

The Breakfast, 



Mme. Darville.— Marie.— Charles. Mes. Darville. — Marie.— Charles. 
— Bonchamp. — Un Domestique. — Bonchamp.— -A Waiter. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Voila une table bien servie, Here is a well-furnished table, 



16 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 



mes enfants; je vous conseille 
d'y faire honneur, car nous 
avons beaucoup a faire aujour- 
d'hui. Marie, j'attends la lin- 
gere et le cordonnier ce matin. 
A trois heures, ta tante et ta 
cousine viendront nous cherclier 
pour faire une promenade au 
Bois de Boulogne : Bonchamp, 
decoupez ce poulet froid. 

Marie. 
Ces ceufs sont delicieux, mais 
je les prefere a la coque : Char- 
les te servirai-je une cotelette ? 

Charles. 
Merci, je deguste ma dou- 
zaine d'huitres avec une satis- 
faction toute particuliere. 

BONCHAMP. 

Madame prendra-t-elle de ce 
pate de gibier ? 



my children; I advise you to 
take a substantial breakfast, as 
we will have a great deal to at- 
tend to to-day. Marie, I ex- 
pect the milliner and the shoe- 
maker this morning. At three 
o'clock, your aunt and cousin 
will call for us to take a drive 
in the Bois de Boulogne : Bon- 
champ, carve this cold fowl. 

Marie. 
These eggs are excellent, but 
I prefer them boiled soft : 
Charles, shall I send you a 
mutton chop? 

Charles. 
Thank you, I am enjoying my 
oysters exceedingly. 

BoNCHAMP. 

Madam, shall I help you to 
some of this game pie ? 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Non, le poulet me suffit : No, I have some of the fowl : 

Bonchamp, servez du Bordeaux Bonchamp, hand the claret to 

a mon fils; Marie, un pen de my son; Marie, a little of it 

vin te ferait du bien. would do you good. 

Marie. Marie. 

Fi done! petite mere, cela Fie! mother dear, it would 

me donnerait des couleurs, et give me quite a color, and 

c'est d'un mauvais genre 1 that is very unbecoming. 



FREITCH AS SPOKEN IN PAKIS. 17 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Ah ! les fluxions de poitrine Indeed ! then I suppose con- 
sent done a la mode ? sumption is all the fashion ? 



Marie. 

Pas precisement ; maman me 
permets-tu de prendre une tasse 
de cafe, non ? Eh bien ! je me 
resigne : Donnez-moi du the, 
Bonchamp. Charles, que fais- 
tu de ta journee ? 

Charles. 

Ma foi! je n'en sais trop 
rien ; Forlis (un vrai marquis), 
Gustave de Forlis, doit venir me 
chercher a deux heures pour 
essayer une Americaine^ — ^com- 
prends-tu ? Eh bien ! c'est une 
espece de voiture, d'un genre 
nouveau, tres a la mode. D'ici 
la, je flanerai sur les boulevards 
et si tu es sage, je t'apporterai 
un bouquet de violettes : Bon- 
champ, du pain. 

Un Domestique. 

On apporte a I'instant ce 
billet pour madame. (Bon- 
champ le pre sent e a Mme. Dar- 
ville sur un petit plateau). 



Marie. 

Not exactly; mamma, will 
you allow me to take a cup of 
cofiee, no ? Well, then, I must 
submit ; Bonchamp, give me 
some tea. Charles, how do you 
intend to spend this day ? 

Charles. 

Indeed I don't know ; Forlis 
(a real marquis), Gustave de 
Forlis, will call for me at two 
o'clock to try an American^ — 
do you know what I mean? 
Well, it is a new style of vehicle 
very fashionable just now. Un- 
til then, I will lounge about the 
boulevards, and if you are a 
good girl I will bring you a 
bouquet of violets : Bonchamp, 
some bread. 

A Waiter. 

This note was just left for Mrs. 
Darville. (Bonchamp hands it 
to Mrs. Darville on a small 
salver). 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Encore un plaisir pour toi, More pleasure for you, Marie. 



18 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Marie. Madame d'lvry nous Madame d'lvry sends us her 

envoie sa loge aux Italiens pour box at the Italian Opera for to- 

demain soir ; on donne la Lucie, morrow night ; they will per- 
form Lucia, 

Marie. Marie. 

Quel bonheur ! moi qui mou- How deUghtful ! I was dying 

rais d'envie d'y aller ; mais il me to hear it ; but I must have a 

faut une toilette, une pelisse suitable toilet, an opera cloak! 
d'opera ! 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Nous nous en occuperons. "We will attend to all that. 

BONCHAMP. BONCHAMP. 

Le chausseur que madame a The shoemaker, whom mad- 

fait demander est ici. am has sent for, is here. 

Mme. Darville. , Mrs. Darville. 

Dites a Suzette de le faire Tell Suzette to ask him into 

entrer dans le petit salon. the sitting-room. 

Charles, Charles. 

Allons, mesdames, je vous Ladies, I leave you to your 

laisse a vos occupations ; je vais occupations ; I will smoke a 

fumer un cigare chez Tortoni, cigar at Tortoni's. Farewell, 

Adieu, bonne mere; bonjour, dear mother; good morning, 

marquise. marchioness. 

Marie. Marie. 

Au revoir, monsieur le ta- Farewell, Mr. Teaze. 
quin. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



19 



CHAPITRE IV. 

Mme. Darville. — Marie. — Suzette. 
— Le Chaussetjb. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — Suzette. 
— The Shoemaker. 



Mme. Darville. 

M'avez-vous apporte 
chaussures a essay er ? 



des 



Mrs. Darville. 

Have you brought me some 
shoes to try on ? 



Le Chausseur. The Shoemaker. 

Oui, madame, mais il vau- Yes, ma'am, but perhaps it 

drait peut-^tre mieux que ma- would be better that I should 

dame me permit de prendre sa take your measure ; I could 

mesure ; je pourrais lui livrer have the shoes ready in a few 

les chaussures dans quelques days, 
jours. 



Mme. Darville. 

Eh bien! prenez d'abord 
celle de ma fiUe ; vous lui ferez 
trois paires de bottines, deux 
noires et une brun fonce ; une 
paire boutonnee et claquee, 
pour I'hiver ; ensuite trois pai- 
res de souliers de satin noir, et 
autant de satin blanc. 



Mrs. Darville. 

Well! take my daughter's 
first ; you will make her three 
pair of gaiter boots, two black, 
and one dark brown ; a pair of 
foxed buttoned-boots for cold 
weather; also three pair of 
black satin shoes, and three 
pair of white satin. 



Le Chausseur. 

Je vais inscrire tout cela. 
pour madame ? 



The Shoemaker. 

Et I will write all that down. 
And for you, madam? 



20 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Les memes chaussures, ex- The same, except the white 

cepte les souliers de satin blanc ; satin shoes ; have you any knit 

avez-vous des chaussons pour le socks ? 
bal? 



Le Chausseur. 

Oui, madame, je vous appor- 
terai tout cela a la fin de la se- 
maine. J'ai I'honneur de vous 
saluer. 



The Shoemaker. 

Yes, ma'am, I will bring all 
you have ordered towards the 
end^ of the week. Good morn- 
ing, ma'am. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville.. 

Surtout que mes souliers Be particular in making my 

soient bien larges, bien aises. shoes wide and comfortable. 

Bonjour, monsieur. Good morning. 

Suzette. Suzette. 

Madame veut-elle voir Made- Madam, will you see Miss 

moiselle Hermille, la lingere, Hermille, the linen-draper whom 

que madame la comtesse a re- the countess recommended yes- 

commandee hier ? terday ? 



Mme. Darville. 
Oui, faites-la entrer. 



Mrs. Darville. 
Yes, ask her in. 



Mmk Darville. — Makie. — Mlle. 
Hermille. — Suzette. 



Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — Miss 
Hermille. — Suzette. 



Mlle. Hermille. Miss Hermille. 

Madame de Parnes m'a fait Madame de Parnes has sent 

dire que madame desirait voir me word that you wished to 
des lingeries. 



look at some embroideries. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 21 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, il me faut plusieurs cho- Yes, I want several things, 

ses. Vos modeles sont-ils tout- Are your patterns quite new ? 
a-fait nouveaux? 

Mlle. Hermille. Miss Hermille. 

Dans le dernier gout. Ma- In the last style. Your sister 

dame votre soeur m'a fait Thon- has been kind enough to trust 

neur de me confier une partie me with part of her daughter's 

du trousseau de mademoiselle outfit, and I flatter myself that 

sa fille, et je me flatte qu'il sera it will be faultless, 
d'un gout irreprochable. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je n'en doute pas ; voila des I dare say; here are some 

cols du matin assez gentils, mais pretty morning-collars, but they 

ils me paraissent bien grands ; appear to me very large ; it is 

ce n'est pas gracieux. not a becoming style. 

Mlle. Hermille. Miss Hermille. 

C'est vrai, mais la mode est Very true, ma'am, but fashion 

un tyran auquel il faut se sou- is a tyrant to whom we must 

mettre. Madame voudrait-elle submit. Will you try on these 

essay er ces bonnets de nuit ? ils night-caps? they fit perfectly, 

vont a merveille. Voici des Here are some short-gowns of 

camisoles d'une forme char- a very pretty shape. This Eng- 

mante. Ces broderies anglaises lish work is remarkably fine, 
sont d'une finesse remarquable. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je prefere celles qui sont I prefer those which are 

garnies de Valenciennes, c'est trimmed with Valenciennes 

toujours joH. Vous en ferez lace, it is always pretty. You 

faire six pour ma fille, et nous will have six of these made for 



22 



COMI^IENT ON PARLE A PARIS, 



en choisirons six d'un autre my daughter, and we will select 
genre. six of another style. 



Mele, Hermille. 

J'ai dans cet autre carton 
des choses ravissantes ; des cols 
en guipure, en application, et 
d'un prix tres modere. Voici 
des manches tout-a-fait nouvel- 
les; j'en ai vendu de sembla- 
bles a Madame de Brevannes 
ce matin. 

Mme. Darville. 

Oui, tout cela est tres joli; 
je prendrai ces deux cols et ces 
trois paires de manches. Ma- 
rie, choisis ce qui pent t'etre 
agreable; c'est un peu vieille 
femme ce que tu tiens la ; voici 
quelque chose de plus elegant. 



Miss Hermille. 

I have some beautiful things 
in this box ; guipure and point- 
lace collars, and at a very low 
price. These sleeves are in the 
last fashion ; I sold a pair sim- 
ilar to them to Madame de 
Brevannes this morning. 



Mrs. Darville. 

Yes, they are all pretty; I 
will take these two collars, and 
these three pair of sleeves. 
Marie, select whatever you fan- 
cy ; that is rather old womanish 
for you, here is something much 
prettier. 

Miss Hermille. 



Mlle, Hermille. 

Madame voudrait-elle des Would you like some pocket- 

mouchoirs ? on en porte beau- handkerchiefs ? many of them 

coup de festonnes avec un assez are scolloped, with large initials 

grand chiifre. worked in the corner. 



Marie. 

Maman, il m'en faudrait 
deux ou trois douzaines. 

Mme. Darville. 
Eh bien! Mlle. Hermille te 



Marie. 

Mamma, I would like two or 
three dozens of them. 

Mrs. Darville. 
Well! Miss Hermille will 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



23 



fera faire tout cela; voici une have all that made for you; 
belle Malines dont je voudrais here is a fine Mechlin lace of 
faire faire un col ouvert et des which I would like to make an 
manches ; cette vieille applica- open collar and sleeves ; this 
tion pom-rait aussi servir. old point-lace might also be 

used. 



moi 



Mlle. Hermille, 

Oui, madame pent se fier a 
, je m'en occuperai en con- 
science ; tout cela sera pret dans 
une dizaine de jours. Bonjour, 
madame ; mademoiselle je vous 
salue. 

Mme. Darville. 
Bonjour. 



Miss Hermille. 

Yes, ma'am, you can trust 
me ; I will attend to your com- 
mands with the utmost care; 
they will be finished in about ten 
days. Good morning, ma'am; 
good bye, Miss Dar\dlle. 

Mrs. Darville. 
Good morning. 



CHAPITRE V. CHAPTER V. 

Mme. Darville. — Marie. — Suzette. Mrs. Darville. — Maree. — Suzette. 



Mme. Darville. 

Suzette, donnez-moi mon tri- 
cot ; Marie, mets-toi a ce secre- 
taire, je vais te dieter deux 
billets que Suzette ira porter a 
leur destination : vous passerez 
ensuite chez Mme. de Baisieux 
la prier de m'envoyer la robe 



Mrs. Darville. 

Suzette, give me my knitting ; 
Marie, sit down at that secre- 
tary ; I will dictate two notes to 
you, which Suzette will deliver : 
you will then call at Mme. de 
Baisieux, and beg her to send 
my daughter's blue dress to- 



24 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



bleue de ma fille, demain sans morrow, without fail. Coming 

faiite. En rentrant, vous m'a- home, stop at Boissier's, and 

cheterez nne livre de chocolat buy me a pound of chocolat 

praline et une bouteille d'orgeat praline and a bottle of orgeat 

chez Boissier. syrup. 

SUZETTE, SUZETTE. 

Je vais mettre mon chapeau I will put on my bonnet while 

pendant que mademoiselle 6crit. Miss Marie is writing. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je suis prete, maman. I am ready, mamma. 



Mmje. Darville (dictant), 

Madame Darville prie Mon- 
sieur Odiot de lui envoyer, ce 
matin, le petit service en ver- 
meil qu'elle a choisi chez lui 
hier. 

Ce Yendredi, 

H6tel de Hollande. 

Marie. 



Mrs. Darville (dictating), 

Mrs. Darville begs of Mr. 
Odiot to send her, this morn- 
ing, the small silver-gilt set, 
which she selected yesterday. 

Friday, 

H6tel de Hollande. 

Marie. 



Est-ce celui que tu dois don- Is it the one you are going 

ner a Laure comme cadeau de to give Laura as a wedding 

noce ? present ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, je veux consulter Char- Yes, I want to have Charles' 

les ; il a beaucoup de gout. opinion ; he has very good 

taste. 



Marie. 
Et Tautre billet, maman ? 



Marie. 
I am ready for the other note, 



mamma. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 2^ 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Mon cher Docteur, My dear Doctor, 

Je suis un pen soufFrante ; I am a little complaining ; 

sojez assez bon pour venir me will you be kind enough to call 

voir, demain, dans la matinee, here to-morrow morning. 
Agreez I'assurance de ma sin- Yours sincerely, 

cere consideration. 

Je signerai moi-meme. I will sign it myself. 

Marie {se levant), Mahie (rising), 

Tu es done souffrante, cbere You are ill, dear mother, and 

mere ? tu ne me le disais pas, did not mention it to me ; and 

et moi qui ne m'en etais pas I never noticed it; you are 

aper9ue ; c'est vrai, tu es bien very pale, 
pale. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Ce n'est rien du tout ; ces It is nothing at all ; I have 
jours-ci, j'ai eu des palpitations; suffered from palpitations these 
le Docteur me donnera sans few days past ; the Doctor will 
doute quelque leger calmant; probably give me some com- 
et puis c'est un peu pour avoir posing draught ; it is partly to 
le plaisir de le voir que je Fen- have the pleasure of seeing him, 
voie chercher, car c'est un an- that I send for him ; he was 
cien ami de ton pere. an old friend of your father's. 

Marie. Marie. .^,.j 

Oui, un excellent ami ; il lui Yes, a devoted friend ; he 

a sauve la vie une fois. Que saved his life once. Oh ! why 

n'etait-il a Vogerolles il y a was he not at Yogerolles years 

cinq ans ? Mon Dieu ! mon ago ? my father might still have 

pere serait peut-etre encore been alive 1 
avec nous! 

2 



26 



COMMENT ON PARI^ A PARIS. 



Mme. Darville. 

La Providence en a ordonne 
autrement, helas! Nous de- 
vons nous soumettre a ses de- 
crets, mon enfant ; mais il faut 
bien de la force, bien du cou- 
rage; Dieu seul pent nous en 
donner ! 



Mrs. Darville. 

Providence has otherwise 
ordained, alas ! We must sub- 
mit to its decrees, my child; 
but it requires an immense 
amount of courage, of strength ; 
from God alone can we obtain 
it! 



SUZETTE. 

Je suis prete, madame. 

Mme. Darville, 

Tenez, voici les deux billets : 
ne vous trompez pas d'adresse. 
Marie, il est une heure ; M. As- 
cher sera ici dans quelques mi- 
nutes pour te donner ta lecon. 
Ya au piano, j'irai travailler 
pres de toi, ou plutot je vais 
lire les Dehats, 



SuZETTE. 

I am ready, ma'am. 

Mrs. Darville.. 

Here are the two notes : 
do not mistake the directions. 
Marie, it is one o'clock; Mr. 
Ascher will be here in a few 
minutes to give you your lesson. 
Go to the piano, I will take 
my work and sit near you, or 
rather I think I will read the 
Journal des Debats, 



BONCHAMP. 

M. Ascher est au salon. 



Mme. Darville. — Mme. de Parnes. 
— Marie. — Laijre. — Suzette. — 

BoNCHAMP. 



Mme. Darville. 

Suzette, ma fille est-elle 
pr^te ? il est trois heures. 



BoNCHAMP. 

Mr. Ascher- is in the parlor. 



Mrs. Darville. — Mme. de Parnes. 
— Marie. — Laura. — Suzette. — 

BoNCHAMP. 

Mrs. Darville. 

Suzette, is my daughter 
ready ? it is three o'clock. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 27 

SUZETTE. SUZETTE. 

Mademoiselle met son cha- She is putting on her bonnet, 



peau, — la voici. 



— ^here she is. 



Marie. Marie. 

Me trouves-tu bien ainsi^ Do I look well, mother? 
chere mere ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Tres bien, mon enfant ; mais Very well, darling ; but you 

il te faut un chale ; ce mantelet must have a shawl ; this man- 

est trop leger pour la saison. tilla is not warm enough for the 

season. 



Marie. 

Un chale cachera ma jolie 
toilette ; je suis bien sure que 
Laure sera magnifique. Yoila 
ces dames. Oh ! la delicieuse 
calechel les beaux chevaux! 
Charles pretend que I'attelage 
de mon oncle de Parnes est un 
des plus beaux de Paris ; viens 
done voir, maman. 

BoNCHAMP {annoncant). 

Madame et Mademoiselle de 
Parnes. 

Mme. de Parnes. M^ie, de Parnes. 

Bonjour, mes cheres amies. Good morning, dear friends ; 

Marie , venez m'embrasser ; come and kiss me, Marie ; let 

voyons la toilette, pas mal ; oh ! me examine your toilet ; pretty 

cela promet; vous avez deja fair ; very promising ; you have 



Marie. 

A shawl will hide my pretty 
toilet ; I am sure Laura will be 
beautifully dressed. Here are the 
ladies. Oh! what a beautiful 
open carriage ! what fine horses ! 
Charles maintains that my 
uncle de Parnes' horses are 
among the handsomest in Paris; 
come and see, mamma. 

BoNCHAMP (announcing), 

Madame and Mademoiselle de 
Parnes. 



28 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



une petite tournure parisienne ; 
encore quinze jours, et ce sera a 
s'y meprendre. Mais votre cha- 
peau est trop grand; il faut 
vous faire coiflfer chez Baudran : 
et vous, ma soeur ? toujours du 
noir ; je vois que vous etes in- 
corrigible. 

Mme. Darville. 



already acquired the style of a 
Parisian; in two weeks more 
you will be taken for one. But 
your bonnet is too large, you 
must have' one made at Bau- 
dran's : and you, sister ; still in 
mourning ? I see you are incor- 
rigible. 

Mrs. Darville. 



Oui, cela me convient sous Yes, it suits me in every re- 

tous les rapports. Laure, mon spect. Laura, my child, you 

enfant, tu as Fair bien serieux ; are very serious ; what is the 

qu'as-tu done ce matin ? matter with you this morning ? 



Laure, 



Laura. 



Eien, ma tante, une petite Nothing, aunt, I have a slight 
migraine. headache. 



Mme. de Barnes. 

Laure est de mauvaise hu- 
meur, parce que, dans tout 
Paris, il a ete impossible de 
trouver assez de bruyere rose 
pour lui garnir une robe de bal. 
Comme vous voyez, c'est un 
grand malheur ! Mais partons, 
mesdames ; il est tard. 



Mme. de Barnes. 

Laura is out of sorts, because 
it has been impossible to find 
in all Paris a sufficient quantity 
of pink heath to trim a ball- 
dress. As you may perceive, 
the misfortune is great! But 
come, ladies ; it is getting late. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 



29 



CHAPITRE VI. 

La Promenade en voiture. 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Drive. 



Mme. de Parnes. — Mme. Darville. Mme. de Parnes. — Mrs. Daryille. 
— Laure. — Marie. — Charles. — — Laura.— Marie. — Charles.— 
M. DE FoRLis. M. de Forlis. 



Mmj:. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Quelle charmante voiture ! What a deliglitful carriage ! 

on J est a merveille ; avec un it is so comfortable ; witli such 

temps comme celui-ci, une pro- fine weather as this, a drive to 

menade au Bois de Boulogne the Bois de Boulogne is very 

est un vrai plaisir. agreeable, 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, mais on s'en fatigue a la Yes, but one tires of it with 

longue ; souvent je sors pour time ; I often drive out to dis- 

promener mes ennuis. sipate my ennui, 

Mme. Dar\t:lle. Mrs. Darville. 

Pauvre amie ! je te plains. — I pity you, dear friend. — 

Comme le jardin des Tuileries How beautiful the Tuileries are 

est beau aujourd'hui ! quel luxe to-day ! so many elegant dresses ! 
de toilette ! 

Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! maman, voila I'obelis- Oh ! mamma, here is the 

que dont j'ai tant entendu obelisk of which I have heard 

parler ; dire que cela vient d'E- so much ; is it not wonderful, 



30 COMMENT ON PAKLE A PAEIS. 

gypte, n'est-ce pas merveilleux, Laura, that this should have 

Laure ? C'est cependant a ce been brought from Egypt ? 

charmant Prince de Joinville Well, we owe this valuable ac- 

que nous devons cette belle ac- quisition to that noble Prince 

quisition. La vieille Egypte au de Joinville. Old Egypt in the 

milieu de notre siecle de civili- midst of this age of civilization ; 

sation; quel singulier destin ! what a singular fate ! 

Laure. Laura. 

Oh ! pour le quart d'heure, Oh ! for the present, I take 

je m'occupe fort pen de I'E- very little interest in Egypt, 

gypte et encore moins du and still less in the Prince de 

Prince de Joinville ; tu oublies Joinville ; you have, I suppose, 

sans doute notre vieille haine forgotten our old hereditary 

hereditaire pour la maison hatred for the Orleans family. 

d'Orleans. Maman, que dirait Mamma, what would Mr. de 

M. de Montreuil s'il entendait Montreuil say, if he heard my 

ma cousine ? cousin express such an opinion ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Madame de Parnes. 

II ne serait pas content, car He would not be pleased, for 

e'est un legitimiste enrage ; il he is a great legitimist ; how- 

est vrai qu'il pardonnerait vo- ever, he would willingly forgive 

lontiers, ' a Marie, ses opinions Marie's political opinions, in 

politiques, en faveur de ses consideration of her bright eyes, 

beaux yeux. Savez-vous, ma Do you know, sister, that your 

soeur, que votre Charles est un son Charles is a dangerous re- 

republicain dangereux ; hier au publican ? last evening he was 

soir, il discutait avec mon mari discussing the subject, with my 

avec beaucoup de chaleur. husband, with great warmth. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, quelquefois, Marie et lui Yes, Marie and he are some- 

sont au moment de se battre times ready to fight a duel 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



31 



en duel ; car elle a une grande about it ; she is a great admirer 
admiration pour I'empereur. of tlie emperor. 



Marie. 

Dis plutot pour I'imperatrice, 
raaman; elle est si belle et si 
bonne ! si nous pouvions la ren- 
contrer aujourd'hui. Ah ! voila 
Charles et son nouvel ami dans 
leur Americaine, 

Charles (^aluant). 

Ma tante, charme de vous 
voir. Mile. Laure, votre tres 
humble; Foiiis, vos chevaux 
sont terribles ! Adieu, nous 
nous retrouverons au Bois; 
ces enrages ne veulent pas s'ar- 
r^ter un instant. 

Mme. Darville. 

Mon Dieu ! ils vont se tuer ! 
— Charles ! — Charles 1 

Mme. de Parxes. 

Soyez sans inquietude, le 
marquis conduit a merveille ; 
c^est un charm ant gargon, fort 
riche ; il vent se marier, et m'a 
chargee de lui chercher une 
femme ; ce serait un beau parti 
pour notre petite Marie ; quelle 
delicieuse marquise elle ferait ! 
nous en reparlerons. 



Marie. 

You mean the empress, mam- 
ma ; she is so beautiful, and so 
good! I wish we could meet 
her to-day. Ah ! here are 
Charles and his friend, in their 
American wagon. 

Charles (bowing). 

Good morning, aunt. Miss 
Laura, your most obedient. 
Forlis, your horses are terrible ! 
Farewell, we will meet at the 
Bois; these horses will not 
stand an instant. 



Mrs, Darville. 

Good gracious ! they will be 
kiUed !— Charles !— Charles ! 

Madame de Parnes. 

Do not be uneasy, the mar- 
quis is a capital driver ; he is a 
fine fellow ! very wealthy ! and 
is anxious to marry : he has 
requested me to find him a 
wife ; this would be an excellent 
match for our little Marie : what 
an exquisite marchioness she 
would be ! "We will talk it over. 



32 COMMENT ON PAKLE A PARIS. 

Laure. Laura. 

Voila la Vicomtesse de Ya- Here is the Vicountess de 

rennes, une de nos elegan- Varennes, one of our fashiona- 

tes; son coupe est d'un gout bles ; her co^/^e is beautiful ; but 

charmant; mais je prefere la I prefer the livery of Madame 

Hvree de Mme. Mercourt, cette Mercourt, that lovely little per- 

ravissante petite personne en son in a moire dress and white 

robe de moire et chapeau blanc bonnet on our right ; her dia 

qui passe a droite ; elle a les monds are the finest in Paris, 
plus beaux diamants de Paris. 

Marie. Marie. 

Quel monde ! quel luxe ! c'est What a crowd ! what ex- 

superbe ! mais cette file m'en- travagance ! it is splendid; but 

nuie ; moi qui suis habituee au this file is tiresome, when one 

grand galop a la campagne. is accustomed to the fast pace 

Ah ! nous voila dans le Bois ; of the country. Ah ! here we 

les arbres sont encore verts, are in the Bois ; the trees are 

Laure veux-tu que nous descen- still green. Laura, shall we 

dions de voiture pour marcher get out of the carriage to take 

un peu dans les allees ? a run in the walks ? 

Laure, Laura. 

Non, merci, je craindrais la Thank you, I should be cov- 

poussiere. ered with dust. , 

Marie. Marie. 

Laure, Laure, tu es I'esclave Laura, Laura, you are the 

de ton chapeau. Oh! voila slave of your bonnet. Oh! 

rimperatrice. Arretons-nous un here is the empress. Aunt, do 

instant, ma tante, pour la voir allow us to stop a moment to 

passer. Elle est charmante, see her pass. She is sw^eet! 

comme elle monte bien, et how beautifully she rides, how 

quelle joKe toilette ; je ne com- elegant her dress is ! I cannot 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



33 



prends pas que toute la nation understand that all the French 

fran^aise ne lui soit pas de- nation should not be devoted to 

vouee. Charles! a la bonne her. Charles! all right, sir, 

heure, monsieur, vous avez sa- you bowed to your sovereign, 
lue votre souveraine. 



Charles. 

Je salue toujours les dames, 
surtout quand elles sont jolies. 
Ma mere, permettez-moi de 
vous presenter mon ami le 
Marquis de Forlis; ma soeur, 
M. de Forlis; je crois que vous 
avez I'honneur de connaitre 
Madame et Mademoiselle de 
Parnes. 



Charles. 

I always bow to ladies, par- 
ticularly when they are pretty. 
Mother, allow me to introduce 
the Marquis de Forlis to you ; 
my sister, M. de Forlis; I 
believe you are acquainted 
with Madame and Mademoi- 
selle de Parnes. 



M. DE Forlis. 



M. DE Forlis. 



Madame la comtesse a la The countess is kind enough 
bonte de m'accorder un peu to honor me with a slight 
d'amitie. friendship. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Madame de Parnes. 



Oui, oui, beaucoup. A pro- Yes, with a great deal. M. de 

pos, M. de Forlis, n'oubhez pas Forlis, do not forget that I ex- 

que je vous attends a diner pect you to dinner on Thurs- 

Jeudi. day. 



M. DE Forlis. 



M. DE Forlis. 
I shall have the honor of 



J'aurai I'honneur de me ren- 

dre a votre aimable invitation, waiting upon you, madam ; that 

madame, si toutefois Mile. Laure is, if Miss Laura will allow me 

veut bien me le permettre; car to do so ; since I won that race 

2^ 



34: COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

depuis la victoire que j'ai rem- from Montreuil, we are not the 

portee aux courses sur Mon- best friends in tlie world, 
treuil, nous ne sommes pas les 
meilleurs amis du monde. 

Laube. Laura. 

Vous vous trompez, monsieur You are mistaken, sir ; I am 

le marquis; je ne crois pas avoir not aware of having ever ex- 

jamais exprime une opinion a pressed an opinion on the sub- 

cetegard; d'ailleurs, il ne serait ject; besides, it would not be 

pas etonnant de me voir m'in- surprising that I should take 

teres ser a ce pauvre Biron, qui an interest in poor Biron, who 

a ete battu deux fois par votre has been beaten twice by your 

Victoria. Victoria. 

M. DE FORLIS. M. DE FoRLIS. 

Sans doute, aussi je» trouve Certainly, and therefore I 

ridicule a Montreuil de s'obsti- think it very ridiculous in Mon- 

ner a vouloir le faire courir en- treuil to insist upon running 

core le 20, au Champ-de-Mars, him again on the 20th, at the 

centre Victoria. Champ-de-Mars^ against Vic- 
toria. 

Laure. Laura. 

Je le raisonnerai la dessus. I will argue the point with 

him. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Quelle est cette jolie per- Who is that pretty woman 

Sonne qui se promene la-bas, walking over there, followed by 

suivie d'un valet de pied ? elle a footman ? She is very genteel 

a beaucoup de distinction. in her appearance. 

Mme. de Parnes. Madame de Parnes. 

C'est la jeune Duchesse de That is the young Duchess 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 35 

Lussan, une cousine de M. de de Lussan, a cousin of M. de 

Forlis ; elle a le plus joli sourire Foiiis ; she has the sweetest 

du monde. Tenez, cette ele- smile. Look on the left, at that 

gante qui remonte en voiture a stylish-looking person who is 

gauche, c'est Mile. LefevTe de stepping into her carriage ; it is 

rOpera-Comique, Mile. Lefevre, an actress of the 

Opera-Comique. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Allons, ma soeur, il est temps Sister, it is time to continue 

de continuer notre promenade ; our drive ; it must be five o'clock ; 

il doit etre cinq heures; j'ai de- I ordered dinner earlier than 

mande le diner plus tot qu'a usual that I might take Marie 

Tordinaire, afin de pouvoir me- to the Gymnase. 
ner Marie au Gymnase. 

Mme. de Parnes. Madame de Parnes. 

Messieurs, au plaisir de vous Good morning, gentlemen, 

revoir. [Au valet de pied), Jac- {To the footman), James, drive 

ques, a I'Hotel de Hollande. to the Hotel de Hollande. 

(Les jeunes gens saluent, et [The young men bow to the 

reprennent la route de Paris,) ladies, and drive towards Paris,) 

Mme. de Parnes. Madame de Parnes. 

Quel beau gar^on que ce What a handsome fellow 

Charles ! Laure, c'est fort heu- Charles is ! it is a fortunate 

reux que ton cousin soit arrive thing, Laura, that you were 

apres ton engagement avec Al- engaged to Alfred de Montreuil 

fred de Montreuil ; j'aurais ete before your cousin came to Pa- 

bien tentee Favoir pour gendre. ris ; I should have been greatly 

tempted to have him for a son- 
in-law. 



36 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Charles aime tendrement sa Charles is very much at- 

cousine; mais il ne songe pas tached to his cousin; but he 

a se marier ; il n'a que vingt- does not dream of getting mar- 

deux ans, c'est trop jeune; je ried ; he is only twenty-two — en- 

voudrais meme que Marie at- tirely too young. I would even 

tendlt plusieurs annees avant wish Marie to wait several years, 

de faire un choix. Commen- In my opinion, it is a great 

cer la vie a dix-huit ans, c'est piece of folly to begin the 

Belon moi une grande folic. trials of life at eighteen. 

Marie. Marie. 

Par exemple, maman, je crois Indeed, mamma, I really 

vraiment que tu voudrais me think you would like to make 

voir vieille fiUe. an old maid of me. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

N"on, mais je voudrais que tu No, but before undertaking 

eusses un pen plus d' experience, so important a mission, I would 

avant de te charger d'une mis- wish you to possess more expe- 

sion aussi importante que celle- rience. 
la. 

Laure (riant). Laura (laughing). 

Mission, ma tante? c'est un Mission, aunt? what a power- 
mot bien grave que vous em- ful expression ! this will afford 
ployez la ; il va me donner a me matter for reflection, as I 
reflechir; car dans quinze jours, shall undertake that awful mis- 
je dois entreprendre cette ter- sion in a fortnight. 
rible mission. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Qui, mon enfant, une mission Yes, dear child, a sacred mis- 

sacree ; celle de veiller au bon- sion ; to secure the happiness, 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



37 



heur, au salut peiit-6tre d'un de perhaps the salvation of a fel- 

tes semblables, qui deviendra low-being, who will become as 

un autre toi-meme. a part of yourself. 

Mme. de Parnes. Madame de Parnes. 

A Paris, on envisage la chose In Paris, we view the niatter 

plus gaiement. in a brighter hght. 



Mme. Darville. 

On a tort peut-toe. Tiens, 
Marie observe TelBfet du soleil 
couchant sur FArc-de-Triom- 
phe ; c'est admirable ! 

Marie. 

Bien beau! mais pas com- 
parable aux effets de lumiere 
que j'ai vus en Touraine; c'e- 
tait une pluie de rubis et de 
saphirs, que I'astre couchant 
versait sur nos plaines fleuries. 



Laure (riant), 

Charmant ! parole d'hon- 
neur; mais tu aurais du nous 
donner cette poetique compa- 
raison devant M. de Forlis qui 
est legerement romanesque. 
Quant a moi, je me contente 
du soleil levant de FOpera; 
dans le Frophete, par exemple, 
il est magnifique, et la voix de 
Roger ne nuit pas a Teflfet. 



Mrs. Darville, 

You may be wrong. Look, 
Marie, at the effect of the sun 
setting upon the Arc-de-Triom- 
X>he ; how beautiful ! 

Marie. 

Very fine! but not to be 
compared to the brilliant 
lights which I have seen in 
Touraine; it seemed as though 
the setting-sun had poured a 
shower of sapphires and rubies 
upon our flowery fields. 

Laura (laughing), 

"Very pretty, indeed; but 
you should have expressed that 
beautiful simile before M. de 
Forlis, who is slightly inchned 
to be romantic. For my part, 
I am satisfied with the sunrise 
at the Opera ; in the Prophet, 
for instance, it is magnificent, 
and Roger's voice does not de- 
stroy the effect. 



38 COIMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 

Marie. Marie. 

All ! ma cousine, les roula- Oh ! cousin, the warbling of 

des du rossignol valent bien the nightingale can well com- 

celles de Roger. pare with Soger's singing. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Mes enfants, vous voila ren- Here we are, my children, 

dues. Adieu, ma sceur, vous Farewell, sister : shall I see you 

reverrai-je bientot. soon again ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Madame de Parnes. 

Je vous attends a diner I expect you to dinner on 

Jeudi ; demain, je dois m'occu- Thursday ; to-morrow I must 

per du trousseau de Laure. attend to Laura's outfit. Marie, 

Marie, je viendrai vous cher- I will call for you to go shop- 

cher pour faire des emplettes ; ping ; you will have an op- 

cela vous fera connaitre un pen portunity of seeing Paris» 
Paris, 



CHAPITRE VII. CHAPTER VII. 

Mmtc. Darville. — Stjzette. Mrs. Darville. — Suzette. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Que fait ma fille, Suzette ? il It is eleven o'clock, Suzette ; 

est onze heures. what is my daughter doing? 

Suzette. Suzette, 

Mademoiselle a deja pris sa She has already taken her 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 39 

le(?on d'anglais avec M. Char- English lesson with Mr. Charles, 

les ; elle dessine dans ce mo- and now she is drawing, 
ment-ci. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Tant mieux ; j'aime a la sa- It gratifies me to see her oc- 

voir occupee de choses utiles ; cupied in a useful manner ; for 

car la vie que Ton mene ici est one leads a very idle life in this 

terriblement desoeuvree. place. 

StJZETTE, SUZETTE. 

Oh ! oui, madame ; combien Oh ! yes, ma'am ; how much I 

je regrette nos bonnes journees regret our nice times at Voge- 

de Yogerolles ! rolles ! 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Et moi aussi, mon enfant ; So do I, my child ; but we 

mais nous y retournerons j'es- will, I trust, soon return there, 
pere avant longtemps. 

Stjzette. Suzette. 

Vrairaent, madame ? Indeed, ma'am ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Malheureusement, cela ne Unfortunately, it does not 

depend pas entierement de entirely depend upon me. 
moi. 



Les hemes. — Marie. The same. — Maeie. 

Marie. Marie. 

Bonjour, maman. Good morning, mamma. 



40 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Bonjour, chere fille; n'es-tu Good morning, dearest; are 
pas fatiguee ce matin ? you not tired this morning ? 



Marie. 

Non, j'ai tant dormi, tant 
ri^ve a Kose Cheri, a Bressant, 
a cette delicieuse petite Lutlier, 
avec ses cheveux blonds ! comme 
je me suis bien amusee ! chere 
mere, me meneras-tu encore 
bientot au spectacle ? 

Mme. Darville. 

Ce soir aux Italiens; apres 
cela, il faudra te reposer pendant 
quelque temps ; il faut user, et 
non abuser des amusements; 
autrement, le coeur et la sante 
s'en ressentent. Mon enfant, 
j'attends le Docteur ce matin ; 
tu vas aller avec Mme. Martin 
faire une longue promenade 
aux Tuileries ; a ton retour, je 
te menerai cbez Mme. Damo- 
reau pour prendre ta legon de 
cbant. 

Marie. 

Oui, cela me reposera; en 
rentrant, je m'arr^terai chez la 
merciere, pour choisir un nou- 
veau dessin de Pouff; tu sais le 
singulier tabouret que nous 



Marie. 

Oh! no, I slept so long! I 
dreamt so much, about Rose 
Cheri, Bressant, that sweet 
little Luther and her light 
curls! how I enjoyed it! Will 
you take me to the theatre 
soon again, mother? 

Mrs. Darville. 

To-night we shall go to the 
Italian Opera; after that, you 
must take a rest for some time : 
one must use enjoyment, but 
not abuse it, otherwise both 
heart and health will suffer 
from it. I expect the Doctor 
this morning. Darling, you 
must go with Mrs. Martin, to 
take a long walk at the Tui- 
leries ; when you come home 
we will go to Mme. Damoreau's 
for your singing lesson. 

Marie. 

Yes, the walk will refresh 
me ; coming home, I will stop 
at the thread and needle store 
to select a new pattern for a 
Pouf; you know that new- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 41 

avons vu chez Madame d'l- fashioned seat, whicli we saw 

vry ? at Mme. d'lvry's ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui. J'entends la sonnette, Yes. I liear the bell, it is the 

c'est le medecin ; va mettre ton Doctor, no doubt ; go and get 

chapeau. {Marie sort.) ready. (Marie leaves the room.) 

BoNCHAMP (annoncant). Bonchamp (announcing). 

Le Docteur Taurin, Doctor Taurin. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Bonjour, mon cher Docteur; Good morning, Doctor; how 

comme je suis heureuse de vous delighted I am to see you ! 
voir ! 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Ah ! madame, ce bonheur est The satisfaction is mutual, 

reciproque ; vous savez quel in- my dear madam ; you know 

teret je vous porte, comme me- what an interest I take in you, 

decin, et comme ami. as a physician, and as a friend. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J'en suis bien convaincue; I am fully convinced of it; 

aussi cette fois, c'est plutot and this time, it is more as a 

comme ami, que comme mede- friend, than as a physician, that 

cin, que je voudrais vous con- I wish to consult you; for I am 

suiter; car je suis tout-a-fait quite alone in Paris. 
seule a Paris. 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Cependant, Mme. de Parnes, I should think your sister, 

votre soeur, doit vous etre d'un Mme. de Parnes, would be a 

grand secours ? great resource to you ? 



42 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Mme. Darville, Mrs. Darville. 

Beaucoup moins que vous ne Much less than you might 
pouvez le penser ; ayant vecu suppose ; having been separated 
eloignees I'une de I'autre, notre for many years, our tastes, our 
maniere de voir, nos gouts sont opinions, are entirely different, 
entierement opposes. Pour Before I mention the subject 
aborder la question qui m'inte- which interests me so particu- 
resse si vivement, il faut que je larly, I must refer to the past, 
vous parle un peu du passe, with which you are somewhat 
dont vous connaissez deja quel- acquainted. You knew my 
ques pages. Vous avez connu father ; how great was the af- 
mon pere; vous savez quelle fection which he bore Laura 
affection il nous portait a Laure and myself, and what solici- 
et a moi, et combien sa sollici- tude he felt, when the time 
tude fut grande a I'epoque ou had come for us to settle in 
il fallut songer a nous marier. life. Laura married M. de 
Laure epousa M. de Parnes Parnes through ambitious mo- 
par ambition; il avait une belle tives; he was wealthy, and held 
fortune, une position a la cour, at court an office which was 
qui pouvait flatter son orgueil ; calculated to gratify her pride ; 
mais il n'entra pas le plus leger but there was not the least sen- 
sentiment dans cette union qui, timent, no love, in their union, 
tout en menageant les apparen- which, although apparently hap- 
ces, a toujours ete depourvue py, has always been devoid of 
d' amour. Pour moi, la mort great affection. To me, death 
eut ete preferable ! mon imagi- would have been preferable ! 
nation vive, exaltee, heritage du The enthusiastic imagination 
sang Creole de ma mere, r^vaitun which I inherited from my 
autre avenir. Je fis un mariage mother, who was a Creole, 
d' amour, que nedesapprouva pas sought a very different fate. I 
mon bon pere ; car M. Darville, married for love. My father did 
quoique sans fortune ( j'en avals not disapprove of the match, 
une considerable), avait une as- as Mr. Darville, though not 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 43 

sez belle position; c'etait, vous in fortunate circumstances {my 

le savez, un avocat distingue, fortune was considerable) exer- 

Nous restames a Paris tant que cised an honorable profession 

mon pere vecut. A I'epoque — he was, you know, a distin- 

de sa mort, mon mari venait de guished lawyer. We remained 

faire cette terrible maladie, pen- in Paris until my father's 

dant laquelle vous Favez si bien death. It was then that my 

soigne. Je n'eus pas de peine husband was taken with that 

a I'engager a quitter Paris, pour violent disease, during which 

nous etablir a la campagne ; je you attended him with so much 

sentais combien cette vie calme care. I easily succeeded in per- 

et douce pouvait contribuer a suading him to leave Paris, and 

prolonger son existence, et com- settle in the country ; I felt 

bien elle serait avantageuse a that a quiet and regular life 

I'education de nos enfants. Je would prolong his existence, and 

ne me trompai pas. Mes espe- prove a great advantage to the 

ranees ont ete depassees sous education of our children. I 

ce dernier rapport ; mais helas ! was not mistaken, they far ex- 

je suis seule a jouir du fruit de ceeded all my hopes ; but ala^ ! 

notre ouvrage, et cela me brise I am left alone, to reap the ben- 

le coeur ! efit of our united toil — the very 

thought breaks my heart ! 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Oui, j'ai appris avec une pro- Yes, I was distressed to hear 

fonde sympathie votre immense of your great bereavement, 
malheur. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Et c'est surtout aujourd'hui And now, particularly, I feel 

que j'en sens toute I'etendue; the extent of my loss; for my 

car mon interet le plus cher, le dearest interest, the happiness 

bonheur de mes enfants, est en of my children, is at stake, 
jeu. 



4:4: COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Votre petite Marie est bien Your daughter is very pret- 

jolie, et, quant a Charles, j'ai ty; and I was delighted with 

ete enchante de lui a ma der- Charles the last time I was 

niere visite. here. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs, Darville. 

Ce sont d'excellents enfants, They are excellent children, 

mais leur education simple et but their simple, innocent edu- 

pure ne les a pas prepares au cation, has ill-fitted them for 

contact du monde. II y a un contact with the world. For 

an que ma soeur me prie de ve- the last year, my sister has 

nir faire un sejour a Paris, begged of me to make a visit 

Marie etait emerveillee des des- to Paris. Marie was dazzled 

criptions que nous donnaient sa by the descriptions she re- 

tante et sa cousine. J'ai re- ceived from her aunt and cou- 

siste autant que possible ; enfin, sin. I resisted as long as pos- 

11 a fallu ceder. Laure se ma- sible, but at last I had to give 

riant, je ne pouvais refuser de up. Laura is to be married 

venir assister a son mariage. very soon : I could not refuse 

Depuis notre arrive e, il n'est to be present at her wedding, 

question que de bals, de spec- Since our arrival here, nothing 

tacles ! Marie est ravie, et sa is thought of but balls and 

tante fait son possible pour theatres. Marie is delighted, 

nous engager a nous etablir and her aunt makes every at- 

ici. Elle voudrait marier ma tempt to induce us to remain 

fiUe dans sa societe ; son influ- here. She would like my 

ence sur elle est tres-grande ; daughter to marry in her own 

mais ce n'est pas la I'avenir circle; her influence with her 

que j'avais reve pour mon en- is very great ; but that is not 

fant! the fate I had anticipated for 

my child ! 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 45 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Vous aviez done quelque ^ Had you made any plans for 

projet arrete avant de venir a the future, before you came to 

Paris ? Paris ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, et non. Yous avez vu, Not exactly. You became ac- 

je crois, lors de cette courte quainted, I believe, during the 

visite que vous nous fites a Yo- short visit which you made us 

gerolles, il y a quelques annees, some years ago at Yogerolles, 

un ami de mon mari, le general with General Bertrand, a friend 

Bertrand, homme d'un grand of my husband, a man of in- 

merite, que nous afFectionnons trinsic merit, to whom we are 

beaucoup. II a perdu, il y a sincerely attached. About ten 

dix ans, une soeur cherie, qui years ago he lost a beloved 

en mourant lui a confie son fils sister, who on her death-bed 

unique. Le general s'est devoue confided her only son to him. 

corps et ame a son neveu ; il a The general has been devoted 

surveille son education, lui a to his nephew ; he superintend- 

forme le coeur, et, quand ii a ed his education, directed his 

ete homme, il Fa mis a meme mind in the proper path, and, 

d'entrer dans une belle carriere. when he became a man, he 

George a fait son droit a Paris, furnished him with the means 

y a obtenu de brillants succes, of entering upon an honorable 

et maintenant il est avocat a career; he studied law in this 

Tours. C'est un jeune homme city, was very successful, and 

plein d'esperances, qui rendrait now he is practising at Tours. 

Marie bien heureuse ; la vie se- George is a very promising 

rait pour elle un doux reve de young man, and would make 

bonheur. Mais, helas ! il n'y Marie very happy; her life 

faut plus songer; je ne peux would be a long dream of 

pas contraindre ma fille a bliss. But, alas ! I must think 

epouser George, et elle ne veut of it no more. I cannot com- 

pas entendre parler de lui ; elle pel my daughter to marry him, 



46 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

le trouve provincial — et vous and she will not hear to it; 
savez qu'a Paris c'est un terri- she thinks his manners pro\nn- 
ble defaut. cial — that, in Paris, you know, 

is a terrible stain on one's 

character. 



Le Docteur Taurin, 

Mais, ma bonne Madame 
Darville, si nous usions un pen 
de ruse, nous pourrions rem- 
porter la victoire. II faudrait 
que ce jeune homme vint a 
Paris; en le comparant a nos 
elegants, Marie le trouverait 
peut-etre beaucoup plus a son 
gout ; on pourrait aussi faire 
entendre raison a Mme. de 
Parnes. Tout cela ne me pa- 
rait pas impossible ! 

Mme. Darville. 

Non, mais bien diflScile. Du 
reste, j 'attends ces messieurs 
dans quelques jours; le vieux 
general nous a donne rendez- 
vous aux Trois Freres Proven- 
caux ; c'est un gourmet. Quel 
sera son desespoir quand il ap- 
prendra que sa petite Marie, 
qu'il appelle deja sa fille, va 
devenir Marquise de Forlis ! 

Le Docteur Taurin. 
Forlis! Forlis! Attendez, — 



Doctor Taurin. 

But, my dear madam, sup- 
pose we act with a little cun- 
ning? we might carry the day. 
The young man must come to 
Paris; Marie will probably like 
him much better when she has 
an opportunity of comparing 
him to our insignificant dan- 
dies. Perhaps Mme. de Parnes 
could also be reasoned with. 
This does not appear impos- 
sible to me. 

Mrs. Darville. 

No, but very diflScult. At 
all events, I expect these gen- 
tlemen in a few days. We are 
to meet at the Trois Freres 
Provengaux; the old general 
is quite an epicure. How dis- 
tressed he will be to hear that 
his little Marie, whom he al- 
ready calls his child, is to be- 
come Marchioness de Forlis ! 

Doctor Taurin. 
Forhs! Forlis! One moment: 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



47 



je connais cela ; j'ai donne des 
soins, il J a quelques annees, a 
une vieille dame de ce nom; 
s'il m'en souvient bien, c'etait 
une assez reveche douaii'iere. 
Mais je prendrai des informa- 
tions, et, due ou marquis, ce 
monsieur n'aura pas notre en- 
fant, s'il n'est digne d'elle. Je 
me battrai plutot en duel avec 
Mme, de Parnes. 



I know that name. Some years 
ago I attended an old lady so 
called ; if I well remember, slie 
"was a cross old dowager. But 
I will inquire about it ; and, be 
lie a duke or a marquis, if tlie 
gentleman is not wortliy of 
our child, he shall not have 
her. I would sooner fight a 
duel about it with Mme. de 
Parnes. 



Mrs. Darville. 

Yous me soulao-ez le coeur 
d'un poids immense, mon cher 
docteur ; car si j'avais la con- 
viction que ce jeune homme 
fut indigne de ma fille, je m'op- 
poserais formellement au ma- 



nage. 



Le Docteur Taurin. 

Comment! deja midi! Moi 
qui ai une consultation dans une 
demi-heure ! Voyez comme la 
conspiration a de I'attrait, sur- 
tout quand les complices sont 
si aimables. 

Mme. Darville. 

Moi qui allais vous laisser 
partir sans vous demander des 
nouvelles de votre femme et de 
votre Amelie. 



Mrs. Darville. 

You relieve my heart of an 
immense weight of care, my 
dear doctor; for if I were con- 
\anced that the young man was 
unworthy of my daughter, I 
would most positively oppose 
the match. 

Doctor Taurin. 

What ! twelve o'clock al- 
ready! and I have a consulta- 
tion in half an hour ! How fas- 
cinating conspiracies are, par- 
ticularly when the conspirators 
are so agreeable. 

Mrs. Darville. 

I was going to bid you fare- 
well, without inquiring about 
your wife and your daughter 
Amelia. 



48 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Oh ! elle est bien mariee. Oh ! she is very well married, 

Dieu merci ! elle n'avait ni Thank heaven ! she was neither 

assez de fortune ni assez de' wealthy nor handsome enough 

beaute pour necessiter des con- to require conspiracies, 
spirations. 



Mme. Darville. 

Que vous ^tes heureux ! A- 
dieu, docteur ; revenez me voir 
aussi souvent que possible. Si 
vous rencontrez Marie en sor- 
tant, donnez-lui un pretexte 
quelconque pour expliquer votre 
longue visite. 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Soyez tranquille, chere ma- Be perfectly easy, dear 
dame ; la diplomatic est, vous madam ; you know that diplo- 
ic savez, une des branches macy is one of the branches of 
de notre profession. Adieu, a our profession. Farewell, I will 
bientot. see you soon again. 



Mrs. Darville. 

How fortunate you are ! 
Farewell, doctor; come to see 
me as often as possible. K 
you meet Marie on your way 
down stairs, make use of some 
pretext or other to explain 
your long visit. 



Mme. Darville. — Marie. — Suzette. Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — Suzette. 
bonchamp. bonchamp. 



Mme. Darville (sonnant). 

Bonchamp, avez-vous deman- 
de la voiture pour une heure ? 

Bonchamp. 

Oui, madame. Vincent est 
prevenu. 



Mrs. Darville {ringing the hell). 

Bonchamp, did you order 
the carriage for one o'clock ? 

Bonchamp. 

Yes, ma'am. Vincent will 
be punctual. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 49 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

C'est bien. Ah ! te voila, Very well. All ! here you 
mon enfant. As-tu joui de ta are, dear. Did you enjoy your 
promenade ? walk ? 



Marie. 

Oui, chere mere; mais j'ai 
rencontre le docteur en ren- 
trant, et sa longue visite m'in- 
quietait : il m'a rassuree en me 
disant qu'il vous avait consultee 
relativement au mariage d'une 
niece qui Finteresse beaucoup. 



Mme. Darville. 

Oui. Allons, ma fille, va 
changer de toilette. Apres ta 
Ie9on de chant, nous irons faire 
quelques visites. Ta tante a la 
migraine aujourd'hui ; elle ne 
sortira pas avant ce soir, pour 
aller aux Italiens. 



Marie. 

Yes, mother. I met the doc- 
tor as I was coming in, and felt 
alarmed at his staying so long; 
but I was reassured when he 
told me that he had consulted 
you about the marriage of one 
of his nieces in whom he takes 
great interest. 

Mrs. Darville. 

Yes. Go, now, and change 
your dress. After your lesson, 
we will make a few visits. 
Your aunt has a headache to- 
day; she will not go out be- 
fore this evening, to go to the 
Italian opera. 



SUZETTE. 

Quelle toilette mademoiselle 
mettra-t-elle ? 



SuZETTE. 

What will Miss Marie wear ? 



Madame Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Sa robe de soie brune, son Her brown silk dress, her 

chapeau blanc, et sa rotonde white bonnet, and black velvet 

en velours noir. Que ta chaus- Talma. Let your shoes and 

sure et tes gants soient par- gloves be perfectly neat ; these 



50 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



faitement frais, chere fille ; c'est details of a lady's dress are 
a cela que Ton reconnait la sure signs of good breeding, 
femme comme il faut. 



CHAPITRE Vm. 

Les Italiens, 



CHAPTER VIIL 
The Italian Opera, 



Mme. Daeville. — Mme. de Paenes. Mrs. Darville. — MikiE. de Parnes. 

— Latjre. — Maree. — Charles. — — Laura. — Marie,— Charles. — 

M. de FoRLIS. M. DE MONTREUIL. M. DE FORLIS. M. DE MONTREUIL. 

— TJne Ouvreuse. — A Box-Keeper. 



Charles (d Vouvreuse), 
La loge de Mme. d'lvry ? 



Charles {to the box-keeper). 
Show us to Mme. d'lvry's box. 

. UOuvREUSE. The Box-Keeper. 

Par ici, monsieur. Numero This side, sir. No. 9, on the 

9, a droite; ces dames seront right; the ladies will be very 

tres bien. Donnerai-je de pe- comfortable. Shall I bring some 

tits bancs ? foot-stools ? 



Charles. 
Oui. Entrez, mesdames. 

Mme, Darville. 

Marie, mets-toi sur le de- 
vant ; Laure prendra la place a 
cote de toi; ta tante, Charles 
et moi, nous nous mettrons au 
fond. 



Charles. 
Yes. Walk in, ladies. 

Mrs. Darville. 

Marie, take that front seat; 
Laura will occupy the other; 
your aunt, Charles, and I, will 
take the back seats. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 

Marie. Marie. 

Quelle jolie salle ! comme What a beautiful 



61 



house ! 

on est bien assis. Charles, how comfortable the seats are ! 
donne-moi la lorgnette: jeveux Charles, hand me the opera- 
voir le beau monde. Yeux-tu glass : I want to take a glimpse 
nous demander un programme ? of the fashionables. Will you 

procure a bill for us ? 



Charles. 

Qui, marquise. Tiens, quelle 
toilette! te voila belle comme 
un astre ! 



Charles. 

Yes, marchioness. Mercy, 
how fine we are ! as brilliant as 
the sun ! 



Marie. 



Marie. 



De grace, mon frere, pas de Pray, none of your jokes 

plaisanteries ici ; c'est d'un bien here, brother ; it is in such bad 

mauvais genre. On frappe, c'est taste. I hear a knock, it must 

sans doute ma tante. be aunt. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Deja rendues, mesdames; 
vous etes d'une exactitude tout- 
a-fait provinciale ! 

Laure. 

Qui. Le faubourg St. Ger- 
main n'arrive jamais qu'au der- 
nier moment, lorsque I'ouver- 
ture est commence e. 

Mme. Darville. 

Alors ils sacrifient la musi- 
que a la mode ; pauvres sots ! 



Mme. de Parnes. 

What ! here already, ladies ; 
you are very punctual ; quite 
provincial ! 

Laura. 

Yes. The faubourg St. Ger- 
main never comes until the 
last moment, when the overture 
is begun. 

Mrs. Darville. 

Then they sacrifice music to 
fashion; how silly! 



62 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS, 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Les Parisiens ne sont pas fous The Parisians are not pas- 

de musique ; c'est plutot le bon sionately fond of music ; they 

ton, la mode qui les reunit ici. meet here rather for fashion's 

sake. 

Marie. Marie. 

AUons, mesdames, I'ouverture Ladies, they are going to 

va commencer ; chere tante, pas play the overture ; aunt, I pray 

un mot, je vous en supplie. you, not one word. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Non, ma mignonne ; me voila No, darling ; I shall be as 

muette, comme le serait toute dumb as all Touraine would 

la Touraine a une representa- be at one of Punch's perform- 

tion de Polichinelle. ances. 

Charles. Charles. 

Brava! brava! elle est deli- Brava! brava! Cruvelli is 

cieuse cette Cruvelli! et Gra- charming! and what a delightful 

ziani, quel charmant bary ton ! barytone is Graziani ! 

Marie. Marie. 

II phrase d'une maniere char- His method is perfect, 
mante. 

Laure. Laura. 

Elle est bien mise cette Lu- Lucia's dress is pretty, mam- 

cia ; maman, cela me donne une ma. That reminds me, that my 

idee pour ma robe rose ; c'est pink one might be trimmed in 

assez elegant ! the same way ; it is rather 

stylish. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, mais en conscience, Yes, but really Laura, it 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



63 



Laure, il serait ridicule a vous would be ridiculous in you to 

de copier la toilette d'une ac- imitate an actress. 

trice. 

Laure. Laura. 

C'est vrai. Marie, voyons Very true. Marie, let me 

ton corsage ! look at the waist of your dress. 

Marie. Marie. 

Tout a I'heure. Quelle ra- In a moment. What exqui- 

vissante musique ! comme c'est site music ! how beautifully it is 

bien joue ; pauvre Lucia ! quel acted ; poor Lucy ! how sad her 



sort ! 



fate was ! 



Laure. Laura. 

Tu pleures, Marie ? c'est bien What ! weeping, Marie ? how 
bourgeois. ungenteel. 



Marie. 

C'est possible ; mais j'ai trop 
vecu a la campagne, dans I'in- 
timite de la nature, pour ne pas 
etre sensible a toutes les souf- 
frances. Voyons, Laure, que 
veux-tu faire de mon corsage ? 

Laure. 



Marie. 

That may be; but I have 
lived too long in the country, 
in close contact with nature it- 
self, to be insensible to its suf- 
ferings. Come, Laura, what 
do you wish to see about the 
waist of my dress ? 

Laura. 



Ohirien. (^ M. de Forlis.) Oh! nothing. {To M. de 

Bonsoir, monsieur ; avez-vous Forlis.) Good evening, sir ; 

apercu M. de Montreuil ? have you seen M. de Montreuil? 

M. DE Forlis. M. de Forlis. 

Mesdames, j'ai I'honneur de Ladies, your most obedient ; 

vous saluer ; Mademoiselle Lau- Miss Laura, Montreuil is in the 



64 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

re, Montreuil est pour le quart lobby, disputing with a florist 

d'heure, dans le couloir, en dis- who did not send you a bou- 

cussion avec une fleuriste qui quet which he ordered ; this 

ne vous a pas remis un bouquet accounts for his being so late, 
commando par lui; cela vous 
explique son retard. 

M. DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil. 

Bonsoir, mesdames. Forlis Good evening, ladies. Forlis 

vous a sans doute raconte mon has, I suppose, related my ad- 

aventure. Dans ce Paris, il est venture to you ; it is impossible 

impossible d'obtenir ce que Ton to obtain what one wishes in 

veut ; enfin. Mile. Laure, vous Paris. Well, Miss Laura, you 

serez obligee d'user de votre in- will be obliged to exercise your 

dulgence habituelle ; demain, usual indulgence. To-morrow, 

j'aurai I'honneur de vous en- I shall have the honor of send- 

voyer tout ce qu'il y a de plus ing you the most beautiful 

beau en fleurs a Paris. Mme. flowers in Paris. Mme. Pre- 

Prevost m'en a donne sa parole vost has given me her word of 

d'honneur. honor on the subject. 

Laure. Laura. 

Vous etes bien aimable ; Ma- You are very kind ; Marie, 

rie, voila un petit echantillon this is a slight specimen of Pa- 

de la galanterie Parisienne. risian gallantry. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je n'en ai jamais doute. " I never doubted it. 

M. DE Forlis (d Mme. Dar- M. de Forlis {to Mrs. Dar- 

ville). ville). 

Avez-vous ete contente de How do you like the opera, 

I'opera, madame ? la Cruvelli madam? Cruvelli has excited 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAKIS. 55 

a excite beaucoup d'enthou- a great deal of enthusiasm ; she 

siasme ; c'est une charmante is a charming singer ! 
cantatrice 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J'en suis ravie, vraiment ; et I am delighted with her ; 

Gardoni m'a fait un plaisir ex- and I have really enjoyed Gar- 

treme. doni's singing. 

Charles (rentrantdanslaloge), Charles {re-entering the box), 

Je viens de voir une mer- I have just seen a marvellous 

veille de beaute ! Forlis, dites- beauty ! Forlis, tell me who is 

moi done qui est cette ravis- that lovely girl, with light hair, 

sante jeune fille aux cheveux in Mme. de Brevannes' box ? 
blonds dans la loge de Madame 
de Brevannes ? 

M. de Forlis. M. de Forlis. 

Je viens de faire la meme I have just questioned Arthur 

question a Arthur de Brevan- de Brevannes on the subject; 

nes ; c'est une Americaine, Miss she is an American, Miss 

Howard, et c'est tout un roman Howard, and her history quite 

que son histoire. II parait que a romance. It appears that her 

sa mere a ete elevee a Paris mother was educated in Paris 

avec Mme. de Brevannes; amies with Mme. de Brevannes ; they 

de coeur, a la vie, a la mort. were bosom friends, devoted to 

La jeune Americaine etait re- each other. The young Ameri- 

tournee dans son pays et s'y can girl returned to her own 

etait mariee. Deux ans apres, country and married. She died 

elle se mourrait de la poitrine, two years afterwards of con- 

laissant un pauvre petit enfant sumption, leaving a poor little 

aux soins d'un pere deja deli- one to the care of an invalid 

cat, qui n'a survecu qu'un an a father, who only survived his 

sa femme. Bref, la petite Fan- wife a year. Finally, the Uttle 



66 



CJOMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



ny que vous voyez la est restee 
aux soins de sa gTand'mere. 
Mme. de Brevannes a appris ces 
faits il y a un an seulement ; 
n'ayant pas de fille a elle, la 
pensee d^elever I'enfant de son 
amie lui est venue ; elle a fait 
toutesles demarches necessaires ; 
Arthur a meme ete a JS'ew- 
York pour plaider la cause de 
sa mere; enfin Mme. Howard la 
mere a consent! a ceder sa petite- 
fille pour deux ans, a condition 
que celle-ci ne resterait a Paris 
que si elle s'y trouvait heureuse. 



Fanny, whom you see there, re- 
mained in charge of her grand- 
mother. Mme. de Brevannes 
only heard of this a year ago ; 
having no daughter, she thought 
of educating her friend's child. 
She took all the necessary 
measures ; Arthur even went to 
New York to plead his mother's 
cause ; at last, old Mrs. Howard 
consented to give up her grand- 
daughter for two years, upon 
condition that she should not 
remain in Paris if she were 
not happy. 



Mme, de Parnes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Et M. de Brevannes a trop And M. de Brevannes, being 
bon gout pour laisser repartir a man of taste, will not allow 
cette gentille personne ? v that sweet girl to return to 

America. 



M. de Forlis. 



M. DE FORLIS. 



C'est presumable. Vous sou- That is very probable. Yon 
pirez, Charles ? sigh, Charles ? 



Charles, 
Elle est si belle ! 



Charles. 
She is so beautiful ! 



Marie. 



Marie. 



Chut, Charles, la toile se Silence, Charles^ the curtain 
leve. is rising. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAUIS. 57 

Mme. de Parnes (has a M. de Mme. de Parnes (whispering 

FORLIS). to M. DE FORLIS). 

Vous savez, marquis, que ma Marquis, you know my niece 

niece est une amazone accom- is a perfect horsewoman ; do 

plie; tachez done d'organiser try and get up a party with 

avec Charles une partie de che- Charles, 
val. 

M. DE FORLIS. M. DE FORLIS. 

Je serais trop heureux, ma- I should be most happy, 

dame. madam, 

Marie, Marie. 

Comme c'est beau ! How beautiful ! 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Cette musique m'a fait le I really have enjoyed this 

plus grand plaisir. Marie, mets music. Marie, put on your 

ta pelisse, couvres-toi bien. cloak, wrap yourself up well. 

M. DE FoRLis (a Mme. Dar- M. de Forlis (to Mrs. Dar- 
ville). ville). 

Voulez-vous me permettre de Will you allow me to oflFer 

vous oflfrir mon bras, madame ? you my arm ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Merci, monsieur. Thank you. 

Mme. de Parnes* Mme. de Parnes. 

Charles, apercevez-vous Jac- Charles, do you see James? 
ques? 

Charles. Charles. 

Qui, ma tante ; le voici. Yes, aunt ; here he is. 
3* 



58 COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS* 

Jacques. James. 

La voiture de madame est The carriage is on this side, 



avancee. 

M. DE MONTREUIL. 

Bonsoir, mesdames. 

MmE. de pARNESe 

A demain, a six heures. 



maam. 

M. DE MONTREUIL. 

Good evening, ladies. 

Mme. de Parnes. 

I shall expect you to-morrow 
at six o'clock. 



MMEa Darville. 
Bonsoir, messieurs. 

Jacques {au cocker), 
A ThoteL 



Mrs. Darville* 
Good evening, gentlemen. 

James (to the coachman). 
Home. 



CHAPITRE IX. 

L'HOTEL DE ParNES, 

Jiuc de Varennes, 
Faubourg St. Germain. 



CHAPTER IX. 

The Hotel de Parnes, 

i^we de VarenneSj 
Faubourg St. Germain. 



Mme. de Parnes. — Lauke. — An- Mme. de Parnes. — Laura. — An- 
ToiNE. — Justine. thony.— Justine. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

C'est inconcevable que ma It is inconceivable that my 
scexu* n'ai pas le desir de ma- sister should not be anxious to 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 59 

rier sa fiUe a Paris. Avez-vous settle her daughter in Paris ! 

rem ar que, hier au soir, combien Did you notice how indifferent 

elle etait peu sensible aux atten- she appeared to all the attentions 

tions de M. de Forlis ? of M. de Forlis last evening ? 

Laure. Laura. 

Oui, mais elles n'ont pas ete Yes, but they were not lost 

perdues pour Marie ; et je sais on Marie ; and I know that 

que ma tante se laissera guider aunt will be influenced by her 

par I'inclination de sa fille. daughter's inclination. 

Mme. de Parnes, Mme, de Parnes, 

Tant mieux, car en verite ce Very fortunately, for it would 

serait dommage d'ensevelir tant really be a pity to bury so much 

de charmes dans le fond de la beauty in the backwoods of 

Touraine. Elle est si jolie ! Touraine. She is so pretty ! 

Ses grands yeux bleus, ses Those large blue eyes, that 

magnifiques cheveux noirs et ce magnificent black hair, and 

teint rose sont ravissants. Oh ! that brilliant complexion, are 

Forlis en est tres-amoureux. bewitching. Oh ! Forlis is very 

Cette fois, il faudra bien que la much in love with her. This 

vieille marquise fasse remonter time, the old marchioness will 

ses diamants, be compelled to have her dia- 
monds reset. 

Laure, Laura. 

Savez-vous, maman, que ma Do you know, mamma, that 

cousine sera mieux posee dans my cousin will occupy a higher 

le monde que moi ? rank in society than I shall ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

La dot de Marie est beau- Marie's dower is much larger 

coup plus considerable que la than yours. During her resi- 

votre. Pendant son sejour de dence of ten years in the coun- 



60 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PARIS. 



dix ans a la campagne, ma 
soeur a presque double sa for- 
tune ; et puisque vous ne pou- 
vez etre marquise, j'aime autant 
que ma niece le soit. 

Latjee, 
Je ne vois pas en quoi cela 
peut nous etre avantageux. 
Habituee aux faQons bourgeoi- 
ses de la province, Marie ne 
saura guere porter son titre. 

Justine (^tenant une corbeille 
de fieurs), 
Le valet de cbambre de M. de 
Montreuil vient d'apporter ces 
fleurs pour mademoiselle. 

Laure. 
C'est bien; mettez-les dans 
le grand salon. 



try, my sister has almost doubled 
her fortune ; and as you cannot 
become a marchioness, I should 
like my niece to be one. 

Laura. 
I do not see where the ad- 
vantage lies. Accustomed to 
the common-place manners of 
the provinces, Marie will scarce- 
ly know how to bear her title. 

Justine {carrying a basket of 
flowers), 
M. de MontreuiFs servant 
has just brought these flowers 
for you, miss. 

Laura. 
Very well ; put them in the 
drawing-room. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme, de Parnes. 

Pas un mot d'admiration ! N"ot one word of admiration, 

vous etes bien diflScile, ma fille ; Laura ! you are fastidious ; this 

cette corbeille doit couter au basket must have cost at lea&t 

moins cent francs. a hundred francs. 

Laure. Laura. 

Eh bien! tant mieux pour Well! so much the better 

Mme. Prevost. for Mme. Prevost, the florist. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Justine, dites a Antoine de Justine, tell Anthony to come 

venir prendre mes ordres. and take my orders. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEK IK PARIS. 



61 



Justine. 

Oui, madame ; quelle toilette 
preparerai-je pour ce soir? 



Justine. 

Yes, ma'am ; what dress 
shall I prepare for this evening ? 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Ma robe de velours epingle My green uncut-velvet and 

vert et mon bonnet garni de ro- my cap trimmed with moss- 

ses mousseuses ; vous prendrez roses ; you will take out the 

dans mon ecrin ma parure d'e- set of emeralds from my jewel- 

meraudes. box. 



Justine. 
Et pour mademoiselle ? 



Justine. 

And what will Miss Laura 
wear? 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Sa robe de gros de Naples Her pink silk with flounces^ 

rose a volants, sa coiffure en and her pink velvet head-dress, 

velours rose. Avez-vous fait Did you order the hair-dresset 

dire au coiffeur d'etre ici a cinq for five o'clock ? 
heures ? 



Justine. 
Oui, madame. ^ 

Mme. de Parnes. 

Laure, avez-vous pense k 
faire accorder le piano ? Mme. 
de Lussan doit chanter avec 
vous. Lord Stanley aime pas- 
sionement la musique ; pour un 
Anglais, c'est etonnant ! II est 
vrai qu'il habite Paris depuis 
longtemps. 



Justine- 
Yes, ma'am. 

Mme. de Parnes. 

Laura, have you thought of 
having the piano tuned ? Mme. 
de Lussan will sing with you. 
Lord Stanley is passionately 
fond of music; quite astonishing 
for an Englishman ! It is true, 
he has lived in Paris a long 
time. 



62 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 
Laure, Laura. 



Le piano est parfaitement The piano is in perfect tune, 
d'accord. 



Antoine. 



Anthony. 



Madame desire me r>arler ? Do you wish to speak to me, 

ma'am ? 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, j'ai a vous donner quel- 
ques ordres pour ce soir. J'at- 
tends douze personnes a diner. 
Servez comme a I'ordinaire a 
ritalienne ; dites au chef que je 
suis contente de ce menu ; j'y 
ai fait un ou deux changements. 
Que le dessert soit bien fin; 
pouvez-vous avoir de beaux 
fruits ? 

Antoine. 

Mademoiselle Justine m'avait 
dit, hier au soir, que madame 
attendait du monde. J'ai achete 
des fruits superbes ce matin ; le 
chasselas est encore tres beau ; 
les poires sont excellentes; je 
servirai aussi a madame des 
fraises. Quant aux petits ga- 
teaux et aux sucreries, j'en au- 
ral une grande variete. Ma- 
dame veut-elle un bouquet dans 
la corbeille de Sevres ? 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Yes, I have a few orders to 
give you for this evening. I 
expect twelve persons to din- 
ner. Let your service be done 
as usual in the Itahan style; 
tell the cook that the bill of 
fare he sent me will do. Let 
your dessert be composed of 
delicacies. Can you procure 
any good fruit? 

Anthony. 

Miss Justine told me last 
evening, that you expected com- 
pany. I bought some very fine 
fruit this morning ; the chasse- 
las grapes are still good; the 
pears are excellent ; I can also 
serve some strawberries, and a 
great variety of cakes and con- 
fectionery. Shall I put a bou- 
quet in the basket of Sevres 
porcelain ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 



63 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, cela plait toujours a Yes, it is always pleasing to 

I'oeil. Du reste, Antoine, je the eye. In all those matters 

me fie entierement a vous ; en I trust to you entirely, An- 

general vous servez tres-bien. thony ; you usually do the wait* 

ing very well. 



Antoine. 
Madame est trop bonne. 

Madame de Parnes. 
Passez chez monsieur, il vous 
donnera ses ordres relativement 
aux vins qu'il veut faire servir. 
Que Joseph, Jacques et Jean, 
soient en grande livree. 

Antoine. 

Oui, madame pent compter 
sur moi; elle sera satisfaite, je 
crois* 

Mme. de Parnes. 
Justine, mon bain est-il pr6t? 

Justine. 

Oui, madame. La coutu- 
riere attend mademoiselle. 



Anthony. 
You are very kind, ma'am. 

Mme, de Parnes. 
Go to M. de Parnes, he will 
give you his orders about the 
wines. Let Joseph, James, and 
John, be in full livery. 

Anthony. 

Yes, ma'am, you can depend 
upon me ; I think you will be 
pleased with every thing. 

Mme. de Parnes. 
Is my bath ready, Justine. 

Justine. 

Yes, ma'am. The mantua- 
maker is waiting for you. Miss 
Laura. 



Laure. Laura. 

Quel ennui! je voulais finir How annoying! I wanted 

cete tapisserie. Dites-lui d'at- to finish this worsted work, 

tendre un instant. Tell her to wait a moment. 



64: 



COMMENT ON PAKIiB A PARIS. 



CHAPITRE X. 

Le SaloUi 



CHAPTER X. 

The Drawing 'Room» 



Mme. de Parnes.--M. de Parnes. — Mme. de Parnes. — M. deParnes.— ^ 



Mme. Barville. — ^M. ET Mme. de 
LussAN. — Laure. — Marie.— Char- 
les. — M. de Forlis. — M. DE MON- 
TREUiL.— Lord Stanley. — M* Do- 

RIMONT. AnTOINE. TrOIS Do- 

mestiques. 



Mrs. Darville. — M. and Mme. 
DE LussAN. — Laura. — Marie.-- 
Charles. — M. de Forlis.— M. de 
MoNTREuiL. — Lord Stanley. -^ 
Mr. Dorimont.— Anthony.— Three 
Servants. 



Mme. de Parnes^ Mme. de Parnes. 

Laure, croyez-vous qu'il y ait Laura, do you think there is 

assez de lumieres dans ces sa- light enough in these parlors ? 

Ions ? J'ait fait eclairer la I have had the conservatory 

serre : on pourra s'y promener illuminated : we will walk 

apres diner. through it after dinner. 

Laure. Laura. 

Je ne trouve jamais qu'il y I never think there is too 

ait trop de lumiere. {Se regar- much light anywhere. [Look- 

dant a la glace») Cette coiffure ing at herself in the mirror^ 

me defigure ! This head-dress is disfiguring. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Vous vous trompez, elle vous You are mistaken, it is very 
sied a ravir. becoming. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



65 



Jacques (annongant), James {announcing), 

Madame et Mademoiselle Mrs. and Miss Darville, Mr. 
Darville, Monsieur Darville. Darville. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Bonsoir, mes toutes belles. 
Ah ! ma petite Marie, vous voila 
mise tout-a-fait a mon gout ! 

M. DE Parnes. 

Bon soir, ma bonne soeur. 
Me sera-t-il permis d'embrasser 
notre lys de Touraine ? 

Marie. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Good evening. Ab ! Marie, 
my dear, you are dressed ac- 
cording to my fancy ! 

M. de Parnes. 

Good evening, my dear sister. 
Can I take the liberty of kiss- 
ing our Touraine lily ? 

Marie. 



Certainement, mon oncle ; Of course, uncle ; but you 

mais vous ^tes un flatteur ! are a flatterer. 

Charles (d Laure). Charles {to Laura). 

Quel air soucieux, belle fian- What a solemn air, dear 

cee ! Pourrait-on connaitre le cousin ! May I inquire the 

sujet de vos ennuis ? cause of your cares ? 



Jacques {annongant), 
M. le comte de Montreuil. 



James {announcing). 
The Count de Montreuil. 



Charles. Charles. 

Vous arrivez bien a propos. You have come just in time, 

mon cher. my dear fellow. 

M. DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil. 

J'ai I'honneur de vous pre- Your most obedient, ladies, 
senter mes hommages, mes- 
dames. 



66 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Nous avons regu votre mes- We received your flowery 
sager fleuri ce matin. Laure a messenger this morning. Laura 
ete emerveillee de sa beaute. was dazzled by its beauty. 



Laure. 

Oui, il est superbe; viens 
I'admirer, Marie. 

Jacques (annongant), 

M. de Forlis, le general Dori- 
mont. 

M. DE Parnes. 

Bonsoir, messieurs ; en veri- 
te, general, nous sommes beu- 
reux de vous posseder; vous 
etes rare comme les beaux 
jours, et vraiment si je n'eusse 
repu certaines petites friandises 
du Midi, dont je vous sais ama- 
teur, je n'aurais pas ose trou- 
bler vos meditations. 

M. DORIMONT. 

Que voulez-vous, mon cber 
ami ; a mon age, on se retire 
tout naturellement du monde, 
ou Ton ne joue plus qu'un role 
insignifiant; je n'en apprecie 
que plus le bon souvenir de 
mes amis. 



Laura. 

Yes, it is perfect; Marie, 
come and admire it. 

James (announcing), 

M. de Forlis, General Dori- 
mont. 

M. DE Parnes. ^ 

Good evening, gentlemen ; 
really. General, it is truly grat- 
ifying to us to have your com- 
pany, such a rare advantage ! 
Had I not received sundry 
little dainties from the South, 
which I know you appreciate, 
I should not h^ve dared to dis- 
turb your meditations. 

Mr. Dorimont. 
Well, my dear friend ; at my 
time of life, one naturally re- 
tires from society, where one 
can take but an insignificant 
part ; I therefore value the 
more the kind remembrance of 
my friends. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J'ai bien regrette, monsieur, I regretted not having had 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



67 



de n'avoir pas eu le plaisir de tlie pleasure of meeting Mme. 

trouver Mme. Dorimont ce ma- Dorimont this morning ; I 

tin; j'am-ais ete charmee de should have been delighted 

renouveler des relations dont to renew an acquaintance, of 

j'ai conserve un si agreable which I have retained so agree- 

souvenir. able a souvenir. 

M. Dorimont. Mr. Dorimont. 

Cent ete un vrai bonheur She would have been most 

pour elle, madame. happy to see you. 



Jacques (annongant). 
Lord Stanley. 



James (announcing). 
Lord Stanley. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Que je suis heureuse de vous I am very happy to see you, 

voir, milord; je craignais que my lord; I feared that your 

vos nombreux devoirs ne nous many diplomatic duties would 

privassent de ce plaisir. deprive us of that pleasure. 

Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

II faudrait des circonstances None, but very extraordinary 

bien extraordinaires, madame, circumstances, could deprive me 

pour m'empecher de vous pre- of the honor of presenting my 

senter mes hommages. respects to you, madam. 



Jacques (annongant), 

M. le Due et Mme. la Du- 
chesse de Lussan. 



James (announcing). 

The Duke and Duchess de 
Lussan. 



Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Je crains de vous avoir fait I am afraid we are rather 

attendre, chere madame ; il late, dear madam ; I met with 

m'est arrive tout un chapitre a whole chapter of accidents. 



68 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

d'accidents, et M. de Lussan and M. de Lussan only returned 

n'est revenu a Paris qu'a quatre to Paris at four o'clock, 
heures. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Vous nous raconterez tons You will relate it all to us at 

vos malheurs a table ; je vois dinner ; I see your misfortunes 

qii'ils n'ont pas eu de suites have not been attended with 

graves, car vous avez une mine any evil consequences, for you 

charmante. look remarkably well. 

Antoine. Anthony. 

Madame est servie. The dinner is ready. 

M. DE Parnes {a Mme. de M. de Parnes {to Mme. de 

Lussan. Lussan). 

Permettez-moi de vous offrir Allow me to offer you my 

mon bras. arm. 

Mme. de Parnes (au Gi:N:feRAL Mme. de Parnes {to General 

Dorimont). Dorimont). 

General, votre bras ! General, I will take your 

arm. 

M. Dorimont. Mr. Dorimont. 

Trop heureux, chere ma- I am most happy, dear lady, 
dame. 

{Les messieurs donnent le bras ( The gentlemen and ladies walk 

aux dames. On passe dans into the dining-room^ arm in 

la salle a manger,) arm,) 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 



69 



CHAPITRE XI. 

Le Diner* 



CHAPTER XL 

The Dinner, 



Les hemes. 



The same. 



{La table est couverte de fruits^ 
gateaux^ bonbons, Au centre^ 
une belle corbeille de fleurs ; 
aux quatre angles^ des re- 
cJiauds en argent^ sur lesquels 
sont poses les plats contenant 
les entrees, Le maitre d^hb- 
tel les enVeve a mesure, les 
decoupe sur un buffet^ et pre- 
sente le plat a chaque convive, 
Les vins sont servis a chaque 
service, Quatre domestiques 
en grande livree^ gros bleu,) 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Mme. de Lussan, veuillez- 
vous mettre a droite de M. de 
Parnes ; Mme. Darville a gau- 
che. General, je vous retiens 
a ma droite. Milord, de ce 
c6te-ci ; M. de Forlis entre 
Mile. Darville et ma fille. M. 



[The table is covered with fruity 
cakes, and confectioneries. In 
the centre stands a handsome 
porcelain basket filled with 
flowers. At the four corners 
are placed silver chafing- 
dishes, containing the viands. 
The steward removes these 
dishes successively, carves the 
viands, and hands them 
around to each guest. The 
wines are handed around 
with each course. Four ser- 
vants in full dark-blue livery 
are in attendance!) 

Mme. de Parnes. 

Mme. de Lussan, will you sit 
on tlie right of M. de Parnes ; 
Mrs. Darville on the left. Gen- 
eral, I claim you on my right. 
Lord Stanley, pray take this 
seat ; M. de Forlis between 
Miss Darville and Laura. M, 



70 coMMEisrr on paele a paris. 

de Montreuil, M. de Liissan, de Montreuil, M. de Lussan, 

Charles, veuillez vous placer. Charles, pray be seated. 

Antoine {sert les potages a Anthony (serves the soup to 

Mme. de Lussan et aux an- Mme. de Lussan and to the 

tres convives), other guests), 

Potage au Tapioca ou a la Will you take some Tapioca 

Cressy ? or some Cressy soup ? 

Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Au Tapioca. Tapioca. 

Mme. de Parnes (a Lord Stan- Mme.de Parnes (to Lord Stan- 
ley), ley). 

Milord, a-t-on un peu adopte Has our style of entertaining 

notre maniere de servir en An- been adopted in England, my 

gleterre ? lord ? 

Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

Mais oui, madame, parmi les Yes, in the higher classes ; 

hautes classes; mais notre peu- but our English people could 

pie anglais pourrait difficile- not easily dispense with their 

ment se passer de son roast- roast-beef, 
beef. 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

J'ai remarque que dans votre I have noticed that in your 

pays, milord, on sait cuire le country, my lord, they cook 

gibier a merveille. game remarkably well. 

Laure. Laura. 

Pas assez pour mon gout. Not sufficiently for my taste. 

M. Dorimont. M. Dorimont. 

En general les dames n'ap- Generally speaking, ladies do 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



71 



precient pas ces petites nuances not appreciate those trifling 

de la gastronomic. shades of gastronomy. 

Antoine (d cTiaque convive), Anthony (to each guest). 

Filet de bceuf aux champi- Filet de boeuf aux champi- 
gnons ? gnons ? 

M. DE FoRLis (a Marie). M. de Forlis (to Marie). 

Avez-vous ete au bois au- Were you at the Bois de 

jourd'hui, mademoiselle? Je Boulogne to-day? I had not 

n'ai pas eu le bonheur de vous the pleasure of meeting you. 
y rencontrer. 

Marie. Marie. 

Non, nous sommes allees No, we paid some visits. I 

faire quelques visites. Nous met, at Mme. de Brevannes', 

avons revu chez Mme. de Bre- that sweet American girl, Miss 

vannes la charmante Ameri- Howard, 
caine, Miss Howard. 

M. DE MONTREUIL, M. DE MoNTREUIL. 

Est-elle aussi joHe au jour Is she as pretty by daylight 

qu'a la lumiere? as she is at night ? 



Marie. Marie. 

Je I'ai trouvee encore plus I thought her still prettier, 

jolie, car elle est gracieuse et for she is graceful and speaks 

parle superieurement le fran- French remarkably well. 
9ais. 



Mme. de Lussan. 
C'est une merveille ! 

Jacques (pffrant du vin,) 
Macon ou Beaugency ? 



Mme. de Lussan. 
She is perfectly lovely ! 

James (handing wine around), 
Macon or Beaugency ? 



72 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



M. DE LUSSAN. M. DE LuSSAN. 

Macon. Je connais la cave Macon. I know M. de Fames' 

de M. de Parnes : ses vins sont wines well : they are excellent, 

excellents. * 



Antoine (a chaque convive), 
Poularde aux trujQfes ? 



Anthony {to each guest), 
Poularde aux truffes ? 



Charles. Charles. 

Eh bien ! Forlis, quand fai- Well, Forlis, when shall we 

sons-nous cette partie de che- take that ride ? 
val? 



M. DE Forlis. 
Quand cela conviendra a ces 



dames. 



M. DE Forlis. 

Whenever it is agreeable to 
the ladies. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je n'ai pas encore donne I have not yet given my 

mon consentement ; je suis ter- consent ; since my arrival in 

riblement craintive depuis mon Paris I have become very 



arrivee a Paris. 

M. de Parnes. 

Avec de bons chevaux, il n'y 
a pas le moindre danger. J'en 
ai deux que ces dames peuvent 
monter sans crainte. D'ailleurs, 
Marie est une excellente ecuye- 
re, — une veritable Anglaise, mi- 
lord. 



timid. 

M. DE Parnes. 

With safe horses, there is no 
danger. I have two, which 
these ladies can ride with per- 
fect security. Besides, Marie 
is an excellent rider, — a true 
Englishwoman, my lord. 



Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

J'aurais bien du plaisir a I should be most happy to 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



73 



accompagner mademoiselle au accompany Miss Darville to the 

Bois. Bois. 

Antoine (d chaque convive). Anthony (to each guest), 

Riz de veau aux petits pois ? Riz de veau aux petits pois ? 

Mme. de Parnes {a Mme. de Mme. de Parnes {to Mme. de 

Lussan). Lussan). 

Contez-nous done vos petites Do give us an account of 

miseres de la journee, ma chere your mishaps to-day, my dear 

duchesse. duchess. 

Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Oh ! cela offre pen d'interet. Oh ! they are very uninter- 

J'ai eu la maladresse de perdre esting. I foolishly lost my 

mon King-Charles ce matin, et Ejng Charles this morning, and 

il a fallu pour le retrouver toute a thousand difficulties were en- 

une serie d'evenements. countered before he could be 

found. 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Vous est-il enfin revenu ? 

Mme. de Lussan. 

Sans doute, autrement je 
n'aurais pas pu avoir le plaisir 
de diner avec vous. Mon des- 
espoir eut ete affi^eux ! Gene- 
ral, vous souriez; seriez-vous 
insensible aux malheurs de ce 
pauvre Trick ? 

M. Dorimont. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Was he restored to you at 
last? 

Mme. de Lussan. 

Undoubtedly, or I should 
not have had the pleasure of 
dining with you. My despair 
would have been terrific ! Gen- 
eral, you smile; can you be 
indifferent to poor Trick's mis- 
fortunes ? 

Mr. Dorimont. 



Nod, certainement, madame, No, certainly, since he be- 



74 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



puisqu'il vous appartient ; mais longs to you, madam ; but your 

j'ai trouve votre expression tel- expression was so powerful, 

lement forte, comparee a la compared with the size of the 

grosseur de ce petit individu, little individual, that I could 

que je n'ai pu m^empecher de not help smiling, 
sourire. 

Mme. de Lussan, Mme. de Lussan. 

General, vous ne connaissez General, you do not know 

pas Trick ; vous ne pourriez lui Trick ; if you did, you certainly 

refuser un tendre interet. would take great interest in 

him. 



M. DORIMONT. 

Je serai charm e de faire sa 
connaissance, madame. 

Antoine {aux convives), 

Tm^bot, sauce a la cr6me ? 

Mme. 



Mr. Dorimont. 

I should be most happy to 
make his acquaintance. 

Anthony {to the guests). 
Turbot, sauce a la creme ? 



Darville (a M. de Mrs. Darville (to M. de 
Lussan). Lussan). 

Avez-vous ete au Salon, mon- Have you been to the exhi- 

sieur ? H y a de fort belles bition of paintings, sir ? There 

choses. are many beautiful ones. 



M. DE Lussan. 

Pas encore, madame; mais 
j'ai entendu parler d'un tableau 
qui cree une grande sensation. 

Charles. 

Ou], c'est FAnge Gardien, 
par un jeune artiste que per- 
sonne ne connait. 



M. DE Lussan. 

Not yet, madam ; but I am 
told there is a painting which 
is creating a great sensation. 

Charles. 

Yes, it is the Guardian An- 
gel, by a young artist whom 
no one knows. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 
M. DE FORLIS. M. DE FoRLIS. 



75 



Si je ne craignais que Ton If I were not afraid of being 

m'accusat de flatterie, je dirais accused of flattery, I would say 

que I'Ange ressemble beaucoup that the Angel resembles Miss 

a Mademoiselle Darville. Darville. 



Charles. 



Charles. 



C'est vrai, Marie ; mais en True, Marie ; but much hand- 
tres beau. somer. 



Marie. 

Heureusement, car j'aime 
assez la terre pour ne pas vou- 
loir etre ange encore. 

M. DORIMONT. 

Cela viendra en son temps. 
Je lis beaucoup de bon dans 
les yeux de mademoiselle. 

Jacques (passant du vin), 
Pomard ou Clos Yougeot ? 

M. de Parnes. 

Milord, vous n'aimez peut- 
6tre pas nos vins de France? 
(A Joseph.) Servez du Ma- 
dere a monsieur. 



Marie. 

Very fortunately, I love the 
earth too well to wish to be an 
angel yet. 

Mr. Dorimont. 

It must happen, though. I 
see a great deal of perfection 
in those soft eyes. 

James {handing around the 
wines), 

Pomard or Clos Yougeot ! 

M. DE Parnes. 

My lord, perhaps you do not 
like our French wines? [To 
Joseph.) Hand the Madeira. 



Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

Au contraire, je prefer e le On the contrary, I prefer 

Bourgogne a tout autre vin ; Burgundy wine to all others ; 

dans votre climat, les vins rou- in this chmate, they are much 

ges sont bien meilleurs. better. 



76 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

Antoine (a chaque convive), Anthony (to each guest), 

Becfigues on cailles roties ? Becfigues or roasted quails ? 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

General, voila des petits General, I can recommend 

oiseaux que je vous recom- these little birds to you ; they 

mande ; ils viennent de loin. came from a great distance. 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

"On les mange rarement aussi They are not often to be had 

bons a Paris. in Paris as good as these. 

Joseph {a chaque convive), Joseph (to each guest). 

Salade de Eomaine ? Lettuce salad ? 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

Tons les ans je rcQois des Every year I receive some 
becfigues d'un de mes anciens becfigues from an old school- 
amis de college. mate of mine. 

M. DE FoRLis (a Marie). M. de Forlis {to Marie). 

Avez-vous entendu le Pro- Have you heard the Prophet? 
phete, mademoiselle ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Non, c'est un plaisir a venir. No, I have that pleasure in 

store. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J'ai dit a Charles de nous I told Charles to take seats 

prendres des places pour lundi. for us on Monday. 

M. de Forlis. M. de Forlis. 

Si vous le permettez, ma- If you will allow me, I will 

dame, j'aurai I'honneur de vous have the honor of sending you 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 77 

envoyer la loge de ma mere : my mother's box : she very sel- 

elle n'j va que tres rarement. dom makes use of it. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Merci, monsieur ; j'accepte, I accept with pleasure, if I 

si cela ne vous prive pas. do not deprive you of it. 

Antoine (a chaque convive), Anthony {to each guest). 

Asperges ? Asparagus ? 

M. DE MONTREUIL. M. DE MONTREUIL. 

Mademoiselle Laure, le temps Miss Laura, which way does 

est-il a I'orage ? Vous etes the wind blow ? You are very 

bien silencieuse, ce soir. silent, this evening. 

Laure. Laura, 

Je suis tres fatiguee ! Depuis I am very tired. For the 

huit jours, je suis sur pied jus- last week, I have been up until 

qu'a deux heures du matin, et two o'clock every night, and 

toute la journee en courses. all day shopping. 

M. DE MoNTREUiL {has). M. DE MoNTREuiL (wMspering), 

Mais votre sante en souffrira. But your health will suffer 

et je m'y oppose formellement. from it ; I shall positively op- 
pose it. 

Charles. Charles. 

Des secrets, Montreuil ? Al- Secrets, Montreuil ? Tell us 

Ions, confiez-nous cela. ^^^ about it. 

M. DE Montreuil. ' M. de Montreuil. 

Quand vous m'aurez dit pour When you have told me 

qui etait ce bouquet de vio- who the bouquet of Camelias 



78 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS, 



lettes et camelias que vous avez and violets whicli you ordered 

commande chez Mme. Prevost. at Mrs. Prevost's was for. 

Charles (rougissani). Charles (blushing). 

Moi ! par exemple, je n'y I ! indeed, I have not been 

suis pas alle depuis huit jours, there for a week. 



M. DE MONTREUIL. 

Mais Bonchamp y etait a 
trois heures! C'est un pre- 
cieux serviteur que vous avez 
la, mon clier ; je n'ai jamais pu 
lui faire dire le nom de la belle 
a laquelle ces fleurs etaient 
destinees. 



M. DE MONTREUIL. 

But Boncbamp was tbere at 
three o'clock ! He is a valuable 
servant, my dear fellow; I 
never could induce him to tell 
me who the fair lady was to 
whom you were sending those 
flowers. 



Charles. 



Charles. 



Eh bien ! puisqu'il faut tout Well, if you must know it, I 

vous dire, j'ai commande un had ordered a bouquet for 

bouquet pour Marie, pour le Marie, for Madame Mercourt's 

bal de Mme. Mercourt. ball. 



Laure. 

Pour Jeudi prochain? vous 
vous y prenez d'avance. 

Antoine {pffrant a chaque con- 
vives), 

Gelee au Marasquin ? 

Mme. de Parnes. 

General, vous mangez bien 
pen; milord, je pourrais vous 
faire le meme reproche. 



Laura. 

For next Thursday? you 
were in a desperate hurry. 

Anthony {to each guest), 
Gelee au Marasquin ? 

Mme. de Parnes. 

General, you are a very small 
eater ; my lord, I might make 
the same remark to you. 



FBENCH AS SPOKENT IN PARIS. 79 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je voudrais que ees messieurs I sbould like these gentlemen 

vinssent nous faire une visite a to make us a visit at Voge- 

VogeroUes avec vous, ma soeur ; rolles with you, sister ; a few 

quelques bonnes promenades long walks in the grounds 

dans le pare leur donneraient would soon improve their ap- 

un meilleur appetit. petite. 

Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

Je n'oublierai pas votre ai- I shall not forget your gra- 

mable invitation, madame. cious invitation, madam. 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

Madame la duchesse, per- Duchess, will you allow me 

mettez-moi de vous ofFrir une to offer you a bunch of these 

grappe de ce chasselas ? chasselas grapes ? 

Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Merci, je prendrai des fraises. Thank you, I will take some 

strawberries. 

Laure. Laura. 

Marie, veux-tu la moitie de Marie, will you share this 

cette poire ? elle est d'une gros- pear with me ? it is prodigious- 

seur prodigieuse. ly large. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je veux bien. Comme ces I am willing. How pretty 

amandes fraiches sont jolies, et those gi'een almonds are, and 

ces cerises, comme elles sont these fresh cherries are so well 

bien conservees. preserved. 

M. DE FORLIS. M. DE FoRLIS. 

Vous offrirai-jc de ces bon- Shall I offer you some of 



80 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

bons, mesdemoiselles ? Charles, these bonbons, ladies ? Charles, 

vous dedaignez sans doute ces I suppose you despise sweets, 
douceurs. 

Charles. Charles. 

Mais, non ; j'y suis, au con- No, indeed ; on the contrary, 

traire, tres sensible, et vous, I am very fond of them : and 

general ? you, general ? 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

Merci, mon jeune ami; en Thank you, my young friend; 

fait de douceurs, celles que of all sweet things, I appreciate 

vous m'offrez sont celles que these the least. I will taste 

j'apprecie le moins. Je goute- this Koquefort-cheese ; it is the 

rai ce Roquefort ; c'est le seul only kind of dessert I fancy, 
dessert que je me permette. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Vous ne refuserez pas une You cannot refuse a bunch 

grappe de raisins ? of grapes ? 

M. Dorimont. Mr. Dorimont. 

Venant de vous, madame, Coming from you, madam, 

cela serait impossible. that would be impossible. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Milord, goutez ces poires ; My lord, taste - these pears ; 

c'est un de nos meilleurs fruits, they are considered one of our 

best fruits. 

Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

Oui, madame, je les apprecie I fully appreciate them, 
a leur juste valeur. 

(Anthony hands round the 

(Antoine passe les Ms) finger-glasses.) 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IK PARIS. 



81 



Mme. de Lussan. 

Quelles fleurs delicieuses ! 
sont-elles de votre serre ? 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Oh ! non ; je ne les fais ja- 
mais cueillir; elles sont telle- 
ment plus belles sur pieds. Si 
cela vous est agreable, nous 
irons les voir. 



Mme. de Lussan. 

How beautiful these flowers 
are ! do they grow in your con- 
servatory ? 4 

Mme. be Parnes. 

Oh ! no ; I never have those 
picked; they are so much 
prettier on the plants. If 
agreeable to you, we will go 
and look at them. 



Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Avec plaisir. With much pleasure. 

{^Tout le monde se levede table) {The company leaves the table) 



CHAPITRE Xn. 
Le Salon, 



CHAPTER XII. 

The Drawing-Room. 



Les hemes (sortant de la serre). — The same (after visiting the conser- 

Mme. de Brevannes.—M. Arthub vatory). — Mme. de Brevannes.— ^ 

DE Brevannes. — Miss Howard. Mr. Arthur de Brevannes. — 

— M ET Mme. Mercourt-— -M Miss Howard. — Mr. and Mrs. 

Sainval. Mercourt. — Mr. Sainval. 



Mme» de Lussan. 

Quelle jouissance que ces 
4* 



Mme. de Lussan* 
What a luxury these flowers 



82 COMMENT ON PAELE 1 PARIS. 

fleurs! un appartement sans are! an apartment without a 

une serre est bien incomplet. conservatory is very incomplete. 

(Anthony brings in the coffee^ 

f Antoine apporte le cafe qvHil t- ■• ■> . j 

^ ^^ "^ ^ whicri he sets on a round 

de^pose sur une tahle ronde.) f hJ \ 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Vous offrirai-je une tasse de General, may I offer you a 

cafe, general? cup of coffee? 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

Je vous rends mille graces, Many thanks, I cannot take 

cela m'est defendu. any, 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Et vous, duchesse? And you, ducliess? 

Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Merci, la moitie d'une tasse. Thank you, I will take half 

a cup. 

Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

Quel delicieux nectar ! je ne What a delicious nectar ! no 

m'etonne pas que Voltaire en wonder Voltaire was so fond of 

fut si passionne. II me semble it. Methinks it would bring 

que ce breuvage donnerait du forth genius from the most in- 

genie a Tetre le plus nul. significant mind. 

Charles. Charles. 

J'en doute, milord. J'ai I doubt that, my lord, I 

connu des individus qui, toute have known persons, who had 

leur vie, avaient pris du cafe et taken coffee all their lives and 

qui etaient loin d'etre supe- who were far from possessing 

rieurs. talent. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 83 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

II aurait fallu a notre grand A more composing draught 

philosophe un breuvage plus would have better suited our 

calmant ; je lui aurais donne de great philosopher ; I should 

la fleur d'orange. have given him orange-flower 

water. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

General, vous qui etes homme General, you are a man of 

de gout, permettez-moi de vous taste, let me show you Laura's 

montrer Falbum de Laure ; il con- album ; it contains some beauti- 

tient des choses charmantes. fal things. 

Laure, Laura. 

Voici aussi une collection Here is also a collection of 

d'autographes qui a un certain autographs, which have a pe- 

merite. cuhar interest. 

Lord Stanley [regardant une Lord Stanley (looking at a 

petite peinture a Vhuile), small oil-painting). 

Quel delicieux petit tableau! What an exquisite little pic- 
ture! 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

H est peint par Mile. Dar- It was painted by Miss Dar- 
ville ; c'est une vue de Voge- ville ; it is a view of Vogerolles. 
rolles. 

Jacques [annongani), James {announcing), 

Mme. de Brevannes, Miss Madame de Brevannes, Miss 
Howard, M. Arthur de Bre- Howard, M. Arthur de Bre- 
vannes. vannes. 

Mme. de Brevannes. Mme. de Brevannes. 

Vous m'aviez engagee a venir You had requested me to 



84: COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 

de bonne heure, chere ma- come early, dear madam ; you 

dame ; vous voyez que je suis see I am punctual, and I must 

exacte; d'ailleurs, je vous avoue- confess that it suits me exactly, 

rai que cela me convient a mer- for our Paris hours seem to fa- 

veille, car nos habitudes pari- tigue this little friend of mine 

siennes fatiguent beaucoup ma very much, 
petite amie que voici. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Je suis charmee de faire la I am most happy to become 

connaissance de mademoiselle, acquainted with Miss Howard. 

Vous etes heureuse, madame. You are fortunate in possessing 

de posseder une si charmante so charming a companion. . 
compagne. 

Mme. de Brevannes. Mme. de Brevannes. 

J'espere bien que Fanny ne I hope Fanny will never 

me quittera jamais. La France leave me. France and I claim 

et moi, nous la reclamons, her. 

Fanny. Fanny. 

Ne jamais re voir TAmeri- What! never return to Ameri- 

que ! ca ! 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Serait-ce un si grand sacri- Would it be so- great a sacri- 
fice ? Paris, il me semble, doit fice ? I should think Paris was 
posseder assez de charmes pour sufficiently attractive to obliter- 
faire tout oublier. ate the memory of every thing 

else. 

Fanny. Fanny. 

Je n'ai qu'a me louer de Pa- I have every reason to be 

ris, et surtout de ceux qui I'ha- pleased with Paris, and par- 

bitent ; mais il y a dans le coeur ticularly with its inhabitants ; 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



85 



un echo de Tenfance, de la pa- but there is in one's neart an 

trie, qui se fait toujours en- echo of childhood and home 

tendre. which always will be heard. 

Arthur. Arthur. 

Brava ! Miss Fanny. Voila Bravo ! Miss Fanny ; I ap- 

de nobles sentiments que j'ap- prove of those noble senti- 
prouve. 



ments. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je ne m'etonne pas que les I don't wonder the Ameri- 

Americains aient un si grand cans are so much attached to 

attachement pour leur pays, their country. I always have 

J'ai toujours eu le desir de le had a desire to visit it. 
connaitre. 

« 
Arthur. Arthur. 

Rien n'est beau comme la Nothing can be more beauti- 

nature dans le nouveau monde ; ful than nature in the new 

j'en ai ete emerveille. General, world ; I was struck with it. 

vous I'avez visite autrefois, il General, were you not there 

me semble 1 formerly ? 



M. Dorimont. 

Oui, a I'epoque ou la belle 
imagination de M. de Chateau- 
briand prenait son essor. J'ai 
parcouru les bords du Mescha- 
cebe ; j'ai cueilli des fleurs 
qu'auraient pu fouler les pieds 
d'Atala. Aujourd'hui, la civi- 
lisation, le commerce ont pro- 
fane les lieux sacres de la 
poesie. 



Mr. Dorimont. 

Yes, at the time when Cha- 
teaubriand gave vent to his 
fine mind. I visited the banks 
of the Mississippi ; I have 
plucked the flowers upon which 
Atala might have walked. 
Since then, civilization and 
commerce have desecrated the 
sacred haunts of poetry. 



86 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PAEIS. 



Charles. 
Since the discovery of the 



Charles. 

Depuis la decouverte des 

mines de la Californie, il n'y a California mines, there is no 

plus de poesie ; elle s'est reti- poetry left ; it has flown to the 

ree dans les forets vierges de forests of the far West. 
I'ouest. 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

Messieurs, voici une table de Gentlemen, here is a whist 

whist qui vous attend. M. de table in readiness for you. M. 

Lussan, general, milord ? Je de Lussan, general, my lord ? 

ferai le quatrieme en attendant I will take a hand until Mer- 

Mercourt. court comes in. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Faisons-nous un peu de mu- 

sique, mesdames ? 

Marie. 

Tout - a - I'heure, ma tante. 
Miss Howard, voici une petite 
place a cote de moi : j'ai de- 
jolies choses a vous -montrer. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Shall we have a little music, 
ladies ? 

Marie. 

Directly, aunt. Miss Howard, 
I have a seat for you here, and 
some pretty things to show 
you. 



Mme. de Lussan, Mme. de Lussan. 

Laure, avez-vous repete le Laura, did you look over the 
duo d'Anna Bolena ? duet of Anna Bolena ? 



Laure. 

Oui, et celui de Maria Pa- 
dilla. M. de Montreuil, veuil- 
lez me donner ce cahier de mu- 
sique : il contient des romances 
charmantes. A propos, M. de 



Laura. 

Yes, and that of Maria Pa- 
diDa. M. de Montreuil, pray, 
hand me that music book : it 
contains some beautiful songs. 
By the by, M. de Forlis, we 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



87 



Forlis, nous aurons, j'espere, le shall, I hope, have the pleasure 

plaisir de vous entendre ce of hearing you this evening, 
soir. 

M. DE FORLIS. M. DE FoRLIS. 

Je ne chante que dans les I only take a part in cho- 

choeurs, et je n'oserais certaine- ruses, and I would certainly 

ment pas me risquer devant un not have the courage to sing 

auditoire aussi distingue. before so many good per- 
formers. 

Jacques (annoncant). James (announcing), 

M. et Mme. Mercourt, M. Mr. and Mrs. Mercourt, Mr. 

Sainval. Sainval. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Bonsoir, madam e ; nous vous 
attendions pour faire de la mu- 
sique. 

Mme. Mercourt. 

Vous 6tes bien bonne. Per- 
mettez-moi de vous presenter 
M. Sainval, un de mes^ cousins ; 
excellent musicien ; il sera en- 
chante d'accompagner ces da- 
mes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Good evening ; we were wait- 
ing for you, to have a little 
music. 

Mrs. Mercourt. 

How kind in you. Allow 
me to introduce Mr. Sainval to 
you ; he is a cousin of mine ; 
an excellent musician; he will 
be delighted to accompany 
these ladies. 

Mme. de Parnes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Je suis charmee de vous re- I am very happy to see you, 

cevoir, monsieur, et je serai sir, and will be much pleased 

ravie de vous entendre. to hear you play. 

M. Sainval. Mr. Sainval. 

Madame Mercourt m'a fait Madame Mercourt has given 



88 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



une reputation que j'aurai bien me a reputation whicli I shall 
de la peine a soutenir, ma- not easily be able to maintain, 
dame. 



Mme. Mercourt. 

Vous etes trop modeste ; ces 
dames en jugeront. 

Mme. de Parnes. 
AUons, mesdames. 

Mme. de Lussan. 

Nous vous chanterons notre 
duo. 

Laure. 
Je sais I'accompagnement. 

M. Sainval. 



Mrs. Mercourt. 

You are too modest; these 
ladies will judge for them- 
selves. 

Mme. de Parnes. 
Come, ladies. 

Mme. de Lussan. 
We will sing you our duet. 

Laura. 
I know the accompaniment. 

Mr. Sainval. 



Permettez, mademoiselle ; j'ai Allow me to play it ; I have 

eu I'honneur d'accompagner had the honor of accompany- 

Mme. de Sparre quelquefois ; ing Madame de Sparre in this 

c'etait precisement ce meme very duet, 
duo. 



Fanny {has a Marie pendant 
la musique), 

II m'est arrive une chose sin- 
guliere, pour Paris ; car en Ame- 
rique cela ne serait d'aucune 
consequence. J'ai regu, ce ma- 
tin, un delicieux bouquet de 
camelias et violettes, anonyme. 



Fanny {whispering to Marie 
while the music is going on). 

The strangest thing has hap- 
pened to me ; I mean, strange 
for Paris ; in America it would 
not be of the least importance. 
I received, this morning, a 
beautiful anonymous bouquet 
of camelias and violets. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEK IN PARIS. 89 

Marie (vivement), Marie [with surprise), 

Vraiment! Keally! 

Fanjsty. Fanny. 

Cela m'intrigue beaucoup. It puzzles me very much. I 

Je comptais demander a Mme. intended asking Mme. de Par- 

de Fames si cette galanterie nes if I was not indebted to 

me venait d'elle. her for the attention. 

Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! je vous en prie, n'en Oh ! pray, do not mention it 

parlez a personne ; un de ces to any one ; I will tell you why 

jours je vous dirai pourquoi. one of these days. 

Fanny. Fanny. 

Bien sur ? Will you ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Voila qui est chante a mer- Beautifully sung ! What ex- 

veille ! Cette musique est ra- quisite music ! 
vissante. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Et monsieur accompagne en And the accompaniment- is 

artiste. played in an artistical style. 

Mme. de Brevannes. Mme. de Brevannes. 

Prenez-vous toujours des le- Are you still taking lessons 

Qons de Bordogni, Mademoiselle of Bordogni, Miss Laura ? 
Laure? 

Laure. Laura. 

Non, madame, pas cet hiver. No, not this winter. 



90 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

N'ons reclamons line cava- We claim a cavatina from 

tine de Mademoiselle Darville. Miss Darville. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Marie, chantez-nous le Lac Marie, sing the Lac, by Nei- 

de Neidermeyer ; il est si bien dermeyer ; it suits your voice 

dans votre voix. so well. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je ne sais pas si j'oserai, ma I am almost afraid to sing, 

tante. Enfin, si cela pent vous aunt. Well, I will try my best 

6tre agreable, je ferai mon pos- to be agreeable to you. {^She 

sible. [Elle chante ; le plus sings ; the company listens in 

grand silence regno dans le silence.) 
salon.) 

M. Dorimont. Mr. Dorimont. 

Admirable, mon enfant ! Je Beautiful ! dear child. I 

disais bien que vous aviez quel- knew there was something an- 

que rapport avec les anges. gelic about you. 

Mme. Mercourt. Mrs.-Mercourt. 

Si j'avais une voix comme I should be too happy if I 

celle de mademoiselle, je serais had such a voice, 
trop heureuse, 

M. DE FoRLis (a Marie). M. de Forlis {to Marie). 

II eut ete bien cruel a vous. It would have been cruel in 

mademoiselle, de nous priver you to deprive us of the pleas- 

du bonheur de vous entendre. ure of hearing you. 

Marie. Marie. 

C'est un plaisir d' avoir un It is a treat to have so in- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



91 



auditoire aussi indulgent. Puis- dulgent an audience. Now that 

que c'est a mon tour de re- I liave a right to claim a favor, 

clamer, je demanderai a M. I will request Mr. Sainval to 

Sainval quelques melodies, et play a melody, and then Miss 

ensuite a Miss Fanny une de Fanny will, I hope, favor us 

ses ravissantes ballades an- with one of her sweet English 

glaises. ballads. 

M. Sainval. Mr. Sainval. 

On ne pent rien vous refuser, All your requests must be 

mademoiselle. {II se met au granted. (He goes to the piano 

piano et execute parfaitement,) and plays heautifully.) 



Laure. 
Quel charmant toucher ! 



Laura. 
What an exquisite touch ! 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Mme. Mercourt n'a pas exa- Mrs. Mercourt has not over- 

gere votre talent, monsieur. rated your talent, sir. 

M. de Lussan. M. de Lussan. 

General, vous etes en defaut; General, you are wrong ; you 

vous auriez du jouer du cceur. should have played hearts. 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

Je vous demande pardon ; I beg your pardon ; but the 

mais il faut s'en prendre a la music is responsible for my 

musique. C'est a vous, mon- errors. It is your deal, sir. 
sieur, a donner. 

Charles. Charles. 

Miss Howard, nous attendons Miss Howard, we are sighing 

la ballade anglaise. for the ballad. 



92 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

Fanny. Fanny. 

Oh ! vraiment c'est ridicule It is ridiculous in me to sing 

a moi de chanter apres ces after these ladies. But if you in- 

dames. Vous le voulez absolu- sist upon it ? [She sings Katy 

ment ? {Elle chante Katy Darl- Darling very prettily^ 
ing avec heaucoup de grace.) 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Gharmant ! C'est delicieuse- Very sweet ! So original ! 

ment original. Mme. de Lus- Mme. de Lussan, will you sing 

san, nous vous demanderons le us the duet from the Prophet ? 

duo du Prophete. (Pendant [While the music is going on, 

la musique, Antoine apporte du Anthony brings in tea, chocolate 

the, du chocolat, des gdteaux, and cakes, which he sets on a 

quHl pose sur une table Ion- sofa table?) 
gue.) 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Vous m'avez fait un plaisir I have really enjoyed your 
extreme, mesdames. Laure,Ma- singing, ladies. Laura, Marie, 
rie, servez-nous du the. Ces pour out tea for us ; these gen- 
messieurs vous aideront. {Les tlemen will assist you. {The 
jeunes gens entourent la table.) young people gather around the 

table.) 

M. de Forlis (a Mme. Dar- M. de Forlis {to Mrs. Dar- 
ville). ville). 

Permettez-moi de vous offrir Allow me to oflfer you a cup 

une tasse de the. of tea. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Volontiers, s'il n'est pas trop I will take some, if it is not 

fort. too strong. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 

Laura. Laura, 



93 



Vous le trouverez bon, ma It is just right, aunt. Mme. 

tante. Mme. de Brevannes, de Brevannes, shall I send you 

vous servirai-je du chocolat? some chocolate? 

Mme. de Brevannes. Mme de Brevannes. 

Je prendrai seulement un I will take a cake only, 
petit gateau. 

M. de Montreuil (d Mme. Mer- M. de Montreuil (to Mrs. 
court). Mercourt). 

Du the ou du chocolat, ma- Tea or chocolate, madame ? 
dame ? 

Mme. Mercourt. Mrs. Mercourt. 

Du the, tres fort. General, Tea, very strong. General, 

vous en prendrez aussi, n'est-ce will you not take some, also ? 
pas? 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

Merci, madame ; un verre Thank you ; I prefer a glass 

d'eau sucree me suffira. of sugar and water. 



M. de Parnes. 

Messieurs, la partie est finie ; 
regions nos comptes. Comme 
a I'ordinaire, j'ai perdu. Mer- 
court, il vous revient vingt 
fiancs ; le reste vous appar- 
tient, messieurs. Laure, mon 
enfant, faites-nous du punch. 
Milord, vous devez etre con- 
naisseur. 



M. de Parnes. 

Gentlemen, the game is over ; 
let us settle our accounts. As 
usual, I have lost. Mercourt, 
these twenty francs are yours ; 
the remainder belongs to you, 
gentlemen. Laura, my daugh- 
ter, make us some punch. My 
lord, you must be a good judge. 



94 COMMENT ON PABLE A PARIS. 

Lord Stanley. Lord Stanley. 

Je n'en suis pas fou. I am not very fond of it. 

M. DoRiMONT {a Mme. de Par- Mr. Dorimont {to Mme. de 

NEs). Parnes). 

Bonsoir, madame ; je con- Good evening, madam ; I 

serverai longtemps le souvenir shall retain a most agreeable 

de cette cliarmante soiree. remembrance of this evening. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Veuillez exprimer a Madame Pray, tell Mrs. Dorimont 

Dorimont tons mes regrets ; how much I regretted not 

j'espere qu'une autre fois, sa seeing her. I trust that, an- 

sante ne nous privera pas du other time, her health will not 

plaisir de la voir. deprive us of that pleasure. 

Mme. de Brevannes. Mme. de Brevannes. 

Onze heures et demie deja ! Half-past eleven o'clock, al- 

Fanny, il est temps de nous ready ! Fanny, it is time for 

retirer. {A Mme. de Parnes.) us to retire. [To Mme. de 

Nous vous rencontrerons, j'es- Parnes.) I hope we shall meet 

pere, chez Mme. Mercourt. at Mrs. Mercourt's. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oh! certainement. Cheredu- Oh! certainly. My dear 

chesse, veuillez me nommer a duchess, remember me to your 

madame votre mere. mother. 

Mme. de Lussan. Mme. de Lussan. 

Je n'y manquerai pas. I shall do so with pleasure. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Charles, demande a Jacques Charles, inquire of James 

si la voiture est la. whether the carriage has come. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



95 



Jacques (rentrant), 
Non, madame. 



James (entering), 
No, ma'am. 



M. DE FORLIS. M. DE FoRLIS. 

Mon coupe est a vos ordres, My coupe is at your disposal, 

mesdames ; Montreuil me don- ladies ; Montreuil will give me 

nera une place dans le sien. a seat in his. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Merci ; nous attendrons en- Thank you; I will wait a 

core quelques instants. little longer. 



Mme. de Parnes {a M. Sain- 
VAL, qui Ioj salue), 

J'espere, monsieur, que j'au- 
rai le plaisir de vous re voir ; je 
suis chez moi tons les jeudis. 
Ces dames seront charmees de 
faire de la musique avec vous. 
Bonsoir, milord. ( Tout le 
monde se retire excepte Mme. 
Darville, ses enfants^ 6^ M. de 
Montreuil.) 



Charles. 

Ah ! 9a, ma tante, c'est une 
aberration que Tamour de la 
duchesse pour son Trick. C'est 
a mourir de rire ! Le general, 
en homme d'esprit, lui a donne 
un leger coup de patte. 



Mme. de Parnes {to Mr. Sain- 
VAL, who hows to her), 

I hope, sir, that we shall 
have the pleasure of seeing you 
again ; I am at home every 
Thursday. These ladies will be 
most happy to have some music 
with you. Good evening, my 
lord. {All the company leaves^ 
excepting Mrs. Darville, her 
children^ and M. de Mon- 
treuil.) 

Charles. 

Now, aunt, you will acknowl- 
edge that the duchess's love for 
her Trick amounts to a disease. 
It is too laughable. The gene- 
ral, who is full of wit, gave her 
a hint on the subject. 



96 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes, 

Que voulez-vous, Charles, Well, Charles, the fact is, 

Mme. de Lussan n'a 'pas d'en- Mme. de Lussan has no chil- 

fants; cela explique son faible dren ; that accounts for her 

pour son chien. love for her dog. 

Marie. Marie. 

Monsieur le republicain, vous You have no christian chari- 

n'avez pas de charite chre- ty, Mr. Eepublican. Laura, what 

tienne. Laure, dis-moi done, dress will you wear at Mrs. 

quelle toilette mettras-tu chez Mercourt's? 
Mme. Mercourt ? 

Laure. Laura. 

Une robe de tulle bleu avec A blue tulle with pink roses, 

des roses roses. Et toi ? And you ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Mme de Baisieux me con- Mme. de Baisieux advises me 

seille de faire garnir ma robe to have my white tulle trimmed 

de tulle blanc avec des fluxias. with fuscias. 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Ce sera charmant ! 



Mme. de Parnes. 
It will be very pretty. 



Charles. Charles. 

Encore des chiffons ! C'est Dress again ! It is the ever- 

I'eternel sujet de conversation, lasting topic of conversation. 

Montreuil, c'est insipide, hein ? Mighty stupid, Montreuil, hey ? 

M. DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil. 

Nous ne pouvons nous plain- We should not complain, my 

dre, mon cher, quand les resul- dear fellow, when the result is 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



97 



tats sont si cliarmants. Com- so gratifyiDg. How did you 
ment avez-vous trouve la toi- like Miss Howard's dress ? 
lette de Miss Howard ? 



Charles. 
Pas mal. 

Marie (Timitani), 

Pas mal. Et ses yeux, Char- 
les ? pas mal ! Par parenthese, 
Arthur de Brevannes ne me fait 
pas Teffet d'etre tres amoureux. 



Charles. 
Pretty well, 

Marie (mimicking). 

Pretty well ! And how did 
you like her eyes, Charles? 
Pretty well! By the by, I 
don't think Arthur de Bre- 
vannes is very much in love 
with her. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

A-t-elle des moyens, de Pes- Is she clever, is she witty ? 
prit? 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Son education est a peine 
achevee ; elle n'a que seize ans. 
Mme. de Brevannes lui a donne 
tons les maitres possible. Elle 
est tres intelligente, dit-on ; elle 
a surtout beaucoup d'esprit na- 
turel. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

She has scarcely finished her 
education ; she is only sixteen. 
Mme. de Brevannes has given 
her teachers in all the difierent 
branches. She is intelligent, 
and said to be very bright. 



Charles. Charles. 

Oh ! oui. J'ai cause long- Oh ! yes. I had a long con- 
temps avec elle, ce soir. versation with her this evening. 



Jacques. 

La voiture de Mme. 
5 



Dar- 



James. 
Mrs. Darville's carriage, and 



98 COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 

ville. Le coupe de M. de M. de Montreuil's coupe, are 

Montreuil. at tlie door. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Bonsoir, mes amis. A bien- Good evening. We will 

tot. meet soon again. 

Marie {riant). Marie {laughing), 

Mon cher oncle, le Lys de Uncle, the Touraine Lily 

Touraine vons tend la jone. awaits a kiss. 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

Bonsoir, mon enfant. Good evening, darling. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Demain, sans faute, j'irai I will call for you to-morrow 

vous chercher. Bonsoir. without fail. Good night. 

M. DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil. 

Je me trouverai chez Janis- I shall be at Janisset's at 

set a trois heures, madame. three o'clock, ladies. 

' Marie. Marie. 

C'est pour faire monter tes To have your diamonds set, 

diamants, Laure. Que tu es Laura. How fortunate you are ! 
heureuse ! « 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Votre tour viendra, Marie, Your turn will come before 

avant longtemps. l<>^gj Marie. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Bonsoir. Aliens, mes enfants. Good night. Come, my chil- 
li est minuit. dren, it is twelve o'clock. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS, 



99 



CHAPITRE Xm. 



CHAPTER Xni. 



L'H6tel de Hollande. 



The Hotel de Hollande. 



Mme. Darville (seule. Elle Mrs. Darville. (^She is sitting 

est assise dans un fauteuil in an arm-chair near the fire^ 

aupres du feu, un livre de an open prayer-hook in her 

prilre a la main), hand,) 

Men Dieii ! que dois-je faire ? Lord, how shall I act? 

Inspirez-moi pour le bonheur Inspire me, for the sake of my 

de mon enfant. Non, non, le child's happiness. No, no, true 

vrai bonheur n'est pas ici ! happiness cannot exist here. 

Quel coup de sonnette ! Se- What a loud ring ! Could 

rait-il arrive quelque chose a any thing have happened to 

Marie ! Marie ! 

Marie {elle entre essoufflee, tres Marie (she seems out of breath, 

emue), much affected). 

Oh ! maman, je viens de voir Oh ! mamma, I have just 

una chose afireuse ! witnessed an awful accident. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Qu'as-tu, mon enfant ? Ta What ails you, dearest ? You 

paleur, ton emotion me font are so pale, you frighten me. 

pem\ Assieds-toi ; bois un peu Sit down, drink a little water ; 

d'eau ; laisse-moi oter ton cha- let me take off your bonnet ; 

peau ; tu est glacee. Ou est you are chilled. Where is Su- 

Suzette ? zette. 



100 C0MM12TT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Marie. Marie. 

Elle sera ici dans un instant. She will be here in a mo- 

Merci, chere mere ; je me sens ment. Thank you, dear mother; 

mieux maintenant, mais j'ai eu I am better now, but for a few 

un moment de souffrance pe- minutes I suffered intensely, 
nible. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je n'y comprends rien. N'as- I cannot understand what 

tu pas ete aux Tuileries avec has happened. Did you not 

Mme. Martin et Suzette, il y a go to the Tuileries, an hour 

une heure ? ago, with Mrs. Martin and Su- 
zette I 

Marie. Marie. 

Certainement. Nous nous Certainly. We were walk- 

promenions tranquillement au ing leisurely, enjoying the sun 

beau soleil dans la grande in one of the broad avenues, 

allee, lorsque nous avons ren- when we met, guess who ? 

contre, devine qui, maman?* two persons whom you like 

deux personnes que tu aimes very much, 
beaucoup. 

Mme. Darville (vivement). Mrs. Darville (hastily). 

Le general Bertrand et son General Bertrand and his 

neveu ? nephew ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Justement. J'ai ete si heu- Exactly. I was delighted to 

reuse de les revoir. Le gene- see them. The general took 

ral m'a fait prendre son bras ; my arm ; George walked on 

George marchait de Tautre the other side. It was a real 

cote. C'etait une vraie joie. treat. I told them all about 

Je leur ai parle de tout ce que what we had seen here. " Did 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



101 



nous avions vu. Notre vieil 
ami me repetait : " Je t'avais 
bien dit, petite, que Paris etait 
beau ; mais ne va pas trop 
Taimcr non plus." II j avait 
une demi-lieure que nous nous 
promenions ensemble, lorsque 
nous rencontrames M. et Mme. 
Dorimont. Grande reconnais- 
sance entre les deux freres 
d'armes, qui ne s'etaient pas 
vus depuis dix ans. Pendant 
ce temps, George me parlait de 
YogeroUes, de Giselle, qu'il 
avait ete voir, et surtout de 
mon amie Flore de Mesange. 
Tout a coup j'entendis sonner 
onze beures ; c' etait I'heure de 
rentrer : je craignais que tu ne 
fusses inquiete. Je dis adieu a 
la bate aux bons amis, qui pro- 
mett^nt de venir nous voir au- 
jourd'bui, et je me sauve avec 
Suzette, suivie de Mme. Martin, 
un pen a la Cendrillon, Arri- 
vee a la grille, au moment ou 
je sortais du jardin, j'aper- 
^ois une femme assez mal 
vetue, qui all ait traverser la 
rue de Rivoli. Au meme ins- 
tant, un cbeval de cabriolet 
s'emporte a deux cents pas de 
la, passe pres de la malbeu- 
reuse femme et la renverse sur 



I not tell you that Paris was a 
beautiful place ?" said our old 
friend ; " but you must not like 
it too well eitber, my dear 
cbild," he added. We bad 
been waiting about half an 
hour, when we met Mr. and 
Mrs. Dorimont. A joyful meet- 
ing of tbe two friends took 
place ; tbey bad not seen each 
other for ten years. Mean- 
while, George and I chatted 
about YogeroUes and Giselle, 
which he had seen, and par- 
ticularly about my friend Flora 
de Mesange. Suddenly I heard 
the clock strike eleven. It was 
time to go home, and I feared 
you might be anxious about 
me. I bid our kind friends 
farewell, in great haste — they 
promising to see us to-day — and 
I ran away with Suzette, fol- 
lowed by Mrs. Martin, pretty 
much in the style of Cinde- 
rella. As we were going out 
of the gate, I noticed a woman 
rather meanly dressed, who was 
about crossing the rue de Ri- 
voli. At that moment, a horse 
took fright about a hundred 
yards from there, and, rushing 
past, threw the poor creature 
on the pavement. Suzette and 



102 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PAEIS. 



le trottoir. ISTous nous elan- 
90ns vers elle, Suzette et moi ; 
la pauvre creature avait perdu 
connaissance. Quelques per- 
sonnes charitables s'approche- 
rent ; on courut chez le pliar- 
macien clierclier du vinaigre, 
de I'ether; enfin, au bout de 
quelques instants, elle revint 
a elle. J'apercus tout pres de 
nous un fiacre qui attendait 
quelqu'un; je demandai au co- 
cher s'il voulait reconduire la 
pauvi^e femme chez elle (Su- 
zette venait d'apprendre qu'elle 
demeurait rue du Mont Thabor, 
a deux pas). Le cocher y 
consentit : il porta la malheu- 
reuse dans la voiture, je lui 
donnai cinq francs et dis a Su- 
zette de I'accompagner et de la 
faire monter cliez elle, puis je 
me suis hatee de revenir. J'a- 
vais ete tellement efFrayee, 
emue de I'etat de cette femme, 
dont la pliysionomie exprimait 
tant de soufi'rance, que je pou- 
vais a peine marcher. Oh 1 
maman, un instant de contact 
avec la misere fait oublier 
toutes les joies du monde. 



I ran to her assistance ; she 
had fainted. A few charitable 
persons gathered around us ; 
one of them ran to the apothe- 
cary's for vinegar and ether. 
After a while, she revived. I 
noticed near us a carriage wait- 
ing for some one, and I asked 
the driver whether he would 
be willing to take the poor 
woman home (Suzette had just 
heard that she lived in the rue 
du Mont Thabor, a very short 
distance from there). The 
driver consented : he put the 
poor creature in the carriage, 
I gave him five francs, and told 
Suzette to go with her and 
have her taken up to her room ; 
then I hurried home. I had 
been so terrified and unnerved 
by the accident of that poor 
woman, whose face expressed 
so much suffering, that I could 
scarcely walk. Oh ! mother, 
one single glimpse of the mis- 
eries of this world makes us 
forget all its joys. 



Mme. Darville. 
Pauvre enfant. Mais tu as 



Mrs. Darville. 
Poor child. But you were 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN EST PARIS. 103 

montre du courage, de Tener- courageous and energetic. I 
gie. Je suis contente de toi, am proud of you, darling, 
moi ange. 



Marie. 



Marie. 



J'ai suivi Timpulsion de mon I followed the impulse of my 

cceur. Si j'eusse refleclii, je feelings. Had I reflected a mo- 

n'aurais peut-etre pas ose agir ment, I might not have acted 

ainsi toute seule, livree a moi- thus, on my own responsi- 



meme. 



bility. 



Mme. Darville. 
C'est dans les circonstances 



Mrs. Darville. 



It is always in great emer- 
graves que les qualites de Tame gencies that the energies of 
se montrent. the soul are called forth. 



Marie. Marie. 

Ah! voila Suzette. Eh bien! Oh! here is Suzette. Well! 

comment est cette pauvi'e how is that poor creature ! 
femme ? 



Suzette. 



Suzette. 



Mieux que je ne pensais, Better than I had expected, 

mademoiselle. Elle en sera miss. She is only very much 

quitte, je crois, pour quelques bruised, and suff'ers most from 

contusions. Elle souflfre sur- a violent pain in her head, 
tout d'une forte douleur a la 
tete. 



Mme. Darville. 
Est-elle tres pauvre ? 



Mrs. Darville. 
Is she very poor ? 



104 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



SUZETTE. 

Oh ! madame, je croyais 
avoir vu la mi sere dans Lotre 
village, lorsque j'allais avec 
vous et maderaoiselle visiter les 
malades de la paroisse ; mais 
je n'avais nuUe idee des souf- 
frances que les malheureux en- 
durent dans les villes. C'est 
affreux ! Un denument ef- 
frayant ! En arrivant chez 
cette malheureuse, j'ai appele 
la concierge pour m' aider a la 
monter chez elle, a une mise- 
rable mansarde, qui contenait 
un vieux bois de lit, une table 
a moitie cassee, deux chaises 
en paille et quelques ustensiles 
de cuisine. Une vieille voisine, 
aussi pauvre qu'elle, la voyant 
arriver dans ce triste etat, lui 
apporta de suite un vieux fau- 
teuil, dans lequel nous I'as- 
simes. Elle semblait complete- 
ment epuisee, ecrasee. De 
temps en temps seulement elk 
murmurait : " Mon pauvre Al- 
bert, mon enfant ! " et de 
grosses larmes coulaient sur 
ses joues amaigries. La vieille 
voisine et moi nous pleurions 
aussi. Je tachai de la consoler 
un pen en lui disant que ma- 



SUZETTE. 

Oh ! ma'am, I thought I 
knew what poverty was, when 
I accompanied you and Miss 
Marie on the sict calls which 
you made in our village ; bit I 
had no idea of the amount of 
suffering which the poor en- 
dure in the city. It is awful ! 
Poverty with all its horrors ! 
When we reached the woman's 
house, I called the porter's wife 
to assist me in taking her up 
to her lodgings, a miserable 
garret, containing an old bed- 
stead, a table half broken, two 
chairs, and a few kitchen uten- 
sils. A neighbor, as destitute 
as herself, seeing her come 
home in this sad state, imme- 
diately brought out an old arm- 
chair, in which we placed her. 
She seemed completely ex- 
hausted, bowed down. Now 
and then she would mutter : 
" My poor Albert, my child !" 
and the tears flowed down her 
withered cheeks. Her neigh- 
bor and I wept also. I en- 
deavored to console her, telling 
her that you would come to 
her assistance and procure work 
for her ; but, alas ! nothing 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



105 



dame s'interesserait a elle, lui seemed to move her. I tlien 

procurerait de Fouvrage ; mais, left her in care of her friend, 

helas ! rien ne paraissait I'e- promising to return in a few 

mouvoir. Je I'ai laissee aux hours. 

soins de son amie, lui promet- 

tant de revenir dans quelques 

heures. 



Mme. Darville. 

C'est bien, Suzette. La Pro- 
vidence nous envoie la une oc- 
casion de dispenser les dons 
que sa misericorde nous a con- 
fies, mais il m'est impossible 
d'aller aujourd'hui chez cette 
femme, car j 'attends mon 
homme d'aflfaire, et Marie doit 
accompagner sa tante. Ap- 
pelez Bonchamp, j'ai a lui 
parler. (Suzette sort, Mme. 
Darville se met a son secre- 
taire^ 

Bonchamp. 

Madame a des ordres a me 
donner ? 

Mme. Darville. 

Oui, vous irez de suite porter 
ce billet chez M. Taurin ; vous 
reviendrez ensuite ici prendre 
Suzette, et vous I'accompagne- 
rez rue du Mont Thabor, pour 
une oeuvre de charite. 
5* 



Mrs. Darville. 

Very well, Suzette. Provi- 
dence has sent us this oppor- 
tunity of dispensing the goods 
which its mercy has confided to 
us, but I cannot possibly go to 
see this woman to-day, for I ex- 
pect my agent, and Marie must 
go out with her aunt. Call 
Bonchamp. (Suzette leaves the 
room, Mrs. Darville writes at 
her secretary^ 



Bonchamp. 

Have you any orders to give 
me, ma'am ? 

Mrs. Darville. 

Yes, go immediately with 
this note to Dr. Taurin ; you 
will then call here for Suzette, 
and go with her to the rue du 
Mont Thabor, on a charitable 
mission. 



see 


what 


she 


requires. 


To- 


morrow, I will 


go 


there 


my- 


self. 













106 COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 

BONCHAMP. BONCHAMP. 

Oui, madame. {II sort) Yes, ma'am. {He 7'etires,) 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Suzette, procurez-vous un Suzette, get a large basket, 

grand panier, mettez-y quel- fill it with a few bottles of good 

ques bouteilles de bon vin, du wine and some provisions. You 

pain et quelques provisions, will find in my wardrobe a 

Vous trouverez au fond de mon thick shawl and a pair of wool- 

armoire un chale bien chaud, len socks ; take them to this 

une paire de chaussons de woman, with these fifty francs ; 
laine. Portez tout cela a cette 
femme, avec ces cinquante 
francs ; voyez ce qui pent lui 
6tre necessaire. J'irai moi- 
meme la voir demain. 

Suzette. Suzette. 

Oui, madame. Je vais d'a- Yes, ma'am. I will first at- 

bord m'occuper de la toilette tend to Miss Marie's dress, and 

de mademoiselle, et dans une in half an hour I shall be ready 

demi'heure je serai prete a ac- for Bonchamp. 
compagner Bonchamp. 

Marie. Marie. 

Chere mere, avec quelle Dearest mother, how imme- 

promptitude, quel jugement tu diately and judiciously you ex- 

sais faire le bien. Tu es un ercise charity. You are indeed 

agent de la Providence sur le- a faithful agent of Providence, 
quel elle pent compter. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Ne serais-je pas bien ingrate Would I not be very un- 

et bien malheureuse, mon en- grateful and unhappy, if I de- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



107 



fant, si je me privais du bon- prived myself of the satisfac- 

heur de soulager mes sembla- tion of assisting my fellow- 

bles ? Et n'est-ce pas dans ce beings ? And was it not for 

but que le ciel m'accorde une that purpose tbat God bas 

fortune considerable ? granted me so large a fortune ? 



Marie. 
Sais-tu, maman, que je n'ai 
nulle envie d'aller avec ma 
tante voir toutes les merveilles 
de Janisset et de Constantin ? 

Mme. Darville. 
Tu as tort, mon enfant. II 
te faut un peu de distraction 
apres F emotion de ce matin, 
Va faire ta toilette. J'ai beau- 
coup de papiers a voir avant 
I'arrivee de mon bomme d'af- 
faire ; je t'attendrai ici au coin 
du feu. 

Marie (emhrassant sa mere), 
J'ai besoin de tes caresses, 
car j'ai le coeur gros, bien gros. 
[Ulle sort. M^kiE. Darville exa- 
mine des papiers pendant V ab- 
sence de sa fille.) 

Marie {en toilette tres elegante^ 
chapeau rose en satin et 
blonde^ robe de gros de JVa- 
ples gros vert, manteau de 
velours de la meme couleur), 

Et le general qui doit venir 



Marie. 
Eeally, mamma, I have not 
the least desire to go with aunt 
to see all the magnificent things 
at Janisset's and Constantin's. 

Mrs. Darville. 
You are wrong, dearest. After 
the emotion which you have 
had this morning, you require 
a little variety. Go and dress ; 
I have a great many papers 
to examine before my agent 
comes ; I will wait here for you 
by the fireside. 

Marie (kissing her mother), 
I need your caresses, for my 
heart is full, very full. {She 
retires, Mrs. Darville looks 
over some papers during her 
daughter'' s absence^ 

Marie {very stylishly dressed 
in a pink sathi bonnet^ 
trimmed with blonde, a dark 
green silk dress, and a velvet 
cloak of the same color). 

And the general, who is 



108 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



nous voir aujourd'hui, maman ? coming to see lis to-day, mam- 
ma? 



Mme. Darville, 
Je lui expliquerai le motif 
de ton absence. Du reste, je 
compte retenir ces messieurs a 
diner ; Charles sera si heureux 
de les revoir. Yoyons, il y a 
bientot six semaines que nous 
sommes a Paris ; il s'est passe 
bien des choses dans ce court 
espace. 



Mrs. Darville. 
I will explain your absence 
to him. At all events, I will 
keep these gentlemen to dinner ; 
Charles will be so delighted to 
see them. Let me see, we have 
been here almost six weeks; 
many things have occurred 
during that time. 



Marie (soupirant). , Marie {sighing). 

Oui, cette vie de Paris vous Yes, this Paris life makes 
vieillit terriblement. one very old. 



Mme. Darville {riant). 

En effet, tu as Fair tres 
vieux ; ce chapeau rose te 
donne cent ans. A propos, 
j'ai regu ce matin un petit mot 
charmant de Madame Dori- 
mont, qui nous engage a pas- 
ser la soiree chez elle, mer- 
credi ; c'est la fete du general. 



Mrs. Darville (laughing). 

In fact you look very old in 
that pink bonnet ; one would 
suppose you were a hundred. 
By the by, I received this 
morning a sweet little note 
from Mrs. Dorimont, inviting 
us to spend the evening with 
her on Wednesday ; it is the 
general's birth-day. 



Marie. Marie. 

Tant mieux, ils sont tons si So much the better, they are 
bons, si aimables. L'autre jour, so kind, so agreeable. The 
chez ma tante, j'etais amou- other day, at aunt's, I was real- 
reuse de ce charmant vieillard. ly in love with that dear old 

gentleman. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 109 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je comprends ton admira- I can readily understand 

tion ; c'est un liomme si comme your admiration ; he is such a 

il faut, si instruit. II a un coeur perfect gentleman, so refined, 

d'or. and so kind-hearted. 

BONCHAMP. BONCHAMP. 

f 

Mme. de Fames attend ma- Mme. de Parnes has called 

demoiselle dans la voiture. for you in the carriage, miss. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je descends, Bonchamp. I am coming, Bonchamp. 

Adieu, bonne mere. Good morning, mother. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Adieu, mon ange. Farewell, darling. 



CHAFITRE XIV. CHAFTER XIV, 

Les Magasins, The Stores. 



Mme. de Paries, Laure, Marie Mme. de Parnes, Laura, Maeie 
{dans la voiture). {driving). 



Mme. de Parnes, Mme, de Parnes. 

Enfin, me voila, mon enfant ; Here I am at last, Marie ; 

trois fois ces terribles migraines three times those terrible head- 

m'ont empechee de venir vous aches have prevented my call- 

chercher, ing for you. 



110 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Marie. 

Comment vous portez-vous 
aujourd'hui, ma tante ? 



MARfE. 

How are you to-day, aunt 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Tres bien, le temps est si Very well, the weather is so 

bean. Jacques, a FEclair, c'est a fine. James, drive to the Eclair ; 

deux pas. Nous y voila. [Mies it is only a few steps from here. 

sortent de voiture et entrent dans Here we are. {They step out 

le magasin de P^clair.) of the carriage and walk into 

the store of the Eclair,) 

Mme. de Parnes {a un£ des Mme. de Parnes {to a young 

demoiselles), ffi^l)- 

Montrez-moi des robes d'en- Show me some infant dresses ; 

fant ; quelque chose d' elegant, something stylish, for a chris- 

pour un bapteme. tening. 

La Demoiselle. The Youn& Girl. 

Oui, madame. Voila qui est Yes, ma'am. These are quite 

tout nouveau. En voici de plus new. Here are others more ex- 

cheres ; cette dentelle est d'une pensive ; this lace is remark- 

richesse remarquable. ably handsome. 

Laure {a Marie). Laura {to Marie). 

Maman doit etre la marraine Mamma is to stand god- 

de ma petite cousine de Man- mother for my little cousin de 

signi. Mansigni. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Ceci est gentil. Tenez, en This one is pretty. Here is 

voici une que j'aime encore another I hke better. What is 

mieux. Quel est le prix de the price of it ? 
celle-ci ? ♦ 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAKIS. 



Ill 



La Demoiselle. 
Deux cents francs, madame. 



The Young Girl. 
Two hundred francs, ma'am. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Marie, comment trouvez-vous Marie, how do you like this 
cette toilette d'enfant ? Quel baby dress ? What extrava- 



magnificence ! 



gance 



Marie. Marie. 

Beaucoup trop pour le pau- A great deal too much for 
vre petit etre. the poor little one. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Nos usages sont absurdes. 
Enfin ! Je prendrai cette petite 
robe, mademoiselle. Montrez- 
moi des bonnets dans le meme 
genre. 

La Demoiselle. 

Voici tout ce que nous avons 
de mieux. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Our customs are absurd. 
"Well! I will take this dress. 
Show me some caps in the 
same style. 

The Young Girl. 

These are the handsomest 
we have. 



Marie. Marie. 

Mais, ma tante, la pauvre But, aunt, the poor child will 

enfant sera e erase e sous cette be loaded down with this mass 

masse de dentelles et de ru- of lace and ribbon, 
bans. 



Laure. 

II vaut autant qu'elle s'ha- 
bitue de bonne heure aux en- 
nuis de la mode. " II faut 
souffrir pour ^tre belle." 



Laura. 

She might as well get ac- 
customed to the annoyances 
of fashion. "Pride must be 
pinched." 



112 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS- 



Mme. de Parnes, - Mme. de Parnes. 

Ce bonnet me convient aussi. This cap will suit me. Send 

Mademoiselle, envoy ez-moi ces me these two articles this even- 

deux objets ce soir sans faute. ing without fail. 

La Demoiselle. • The YouNa Girl. 

Madame voudrait-elle voir Shall I show you some beau- 

des petits chapeaux ravissants, tiful little bonnets, of a new 

style ? 



tout nouveaux ? 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Pas aujourd'hui, une autre Not to-day, another time, 

fois. Bonjour, mademoiselle. Good morning. {The ladies 

{Les dames remontent dans la step into the carriage.) 
voiture,) 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Jacques, chez Delisle. 



Mme. de Parnes. 
James, drive to Delisle's, 



Marie. Marie. 

J'aurais pu passer une heure I could have spent an hour 

a regarder ces jolis costumes looking at those pretty baby 

d'enfant, ils sont si gentils. things, they are so cunning. 

Laure. Laura* 

Tu n'es pas difficile. Je suis You are not hard to please, 

moins juvenile dans mes gouts. I am less juvenile in my fan- 
cies. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Comme notre peuple pari- How much our Parisians en- 

sien se rejouit au soleil. On joy the sun. They look like 

dirait un masse d'oiseaux sortis birds just out of their cages, 
de leur cage. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 113 

Marie. Marie. 

Es ont de tristes cages bien Those cages are often mis- 

souvent. On dit q^ie la misere erable dwellings. I am told 

est aflfreuse dans cette immense tlie distress is terrible in this 

ville, great city. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Helas ! oui. Nous aurons Alas ! it is. We shall have 

une loterie et un bal cet hiver, a lottery and a ball for the 

pour les pauvres. On fait beau- poor, this winter. A great deal 

coup de charite, mais cela ne is done to relieve them, but it 

suffit pas. is not sufficient. 

Laure. Laura, 

Je suis toujours tentee de I am always tempted to say, 

dire comme cette pauvre Marie as poor Marie Antoinette did, 

Antoinette, lorsque le peuple when the people were starv- 

manquait de pain : " Donnez- ing : " Give them cake." It 

leur des brioches." II semble seems impossible, in the midst 

impossible, avec tout le luxe qui of all this luxury, that any one 

nous entoure, que Ton n'ait pas should be deprived of the ne- 

de quoi vivre. cessaries of life. 

Marie. Marie. 

Cette idee me brise le coeur. This very thought breaks 

(Lavoiture s^arreteruede Choi- my heart. {The carriage stops 

seuil, chez Delisle,) at Delisle^s, rue de Choiseuil.) 

Mme. de Parnes (a un commis), Mme. de Parnes {to a clerk). 

Monsieur, je voudrais voir des I would like to look at some 

etoffes pour robes de soiree. materials for evening-dresses. 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Veuillez passer par ici, mes- WiU you step this way, la- 



114: COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

dames ; donnez-vous la peine dies ? Take a seat ? Do you 

de vous asseoir. Est-ce pour wish to see sometHing dressy, 

grande soiree, etofFe legere, ou some light material, or a plainer 

quelque chose de moins habille ? style ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Montrez - moi des toilettes Show me some pink evening- 
roses, dresses. 

Le CoisiMis. The Clerk. 

Voila qui est ravissant. L'lm- Here is a beautiful thing, 
peratrice en portait une sem- The Empress wore one just 
blable au dernier bal de la like it at the last court-ball ; it 
cour ; c'est un veritable nuage is exceedingly light and grace- 
pour la legerete. ful. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

C'est joli, en effet ; mais je Very pretty, but I want a 

voudrais un genre plus jeune style more suitable for a young 

personne. person. 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Oh! j'ai une etoffe qui con- Oh ! I have a dress which 

viendra parfaitement a ma- ^will suit you exactly : a beauti- 

dame : une charmante toilette ful tulle and silk with flounces, 
a volants, en tulle et soie. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, c'est precisement ce Yes, that is the very thing, 

qu'il me faut. Laure, comment Laura, how do you like this ? 
trouvez-vous ceci ? 

Laure. Laura. 

Pas mal, — un pen lourd. So so, — rather heavy. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



115 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Nous ne trouverons rien de I don't think we can find 

mieux, il me semble. De quel any thing prettier. What is the 

prix est cette robe, monsieur ? price of this dress, sir ? 



Le Commis. 
Trois cents francs, madame. 



The Clerk. 
Three hundred francs, ma'am. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

C'est bien cher pom^ une 
soiree, car la fraicheur de ces 
toilettes en fait la grande beaute. 
Mettez cette robe de cote. Je 
prendrai aussi cette toilette gros 
bleu. Montrez - moi d'autres 
etoflfes plus epaisses, des satins. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

It is very expensive for a 
single evening, as the freshness 
of these dresses constitutes their 
greatest beauty. Put this dress 
aside for me. I will take the 
dark-blue one also. Show me 
other materials, — something 
thicker, some satins. 



Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Yoila ce qu'il y a de mieux These are the most worn this 

porte ; on garnit entierement winter ; velvet trimmings are 

en velours cet hiver. La couleur very fashionable. Crimson is 

amaranthe fait fureur ; c'est su- all the rage ; it is beautiful by 

perbe a la lumiere. candle-light. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Quel est le prix de cette What is the- price of this 
etoflfe sole et velours ? silk and velvet material ? 



Le Commis. - The Clerk. 

Quarante francs le metre. Forty francs a yard, ma'am, 

madame ; elle est d'une richesse It is remarkably rich-looking, 
remarquable. 



116 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS, 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

J'en prendrai une robe. I will take a dress of it. 

Quels sont les manteaux a la What is tlie style for cloaks, 

mode, cet hiver ? this winter ? 



Le Commis. 

Si madame veut passer a la 
confection je lui montrerai ce 
que nous avons de plus nou- 
veau. Mais voici une robe a 
disposition que je voudrais que 
vous vissiez ; c'est une mer- 
veille. 



The Clerk. 

Will you be kind enough to 
step to the cloak-room ? you 
will see our newest patterns. 
But allow me to show you this 
robe dress, it is perfectly beau- 
tiful. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Trop beau, trop voyant ; mais Too fine, too showy ; but 

tout a fait un objet d'art. really a work of art. 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Voici difi*erentes formes de There are a variety of pat- 

manteaux. {A une demoiselle terns. {To a young girl.) Try 

de boutique.) Mademoiselle, vou- on these cloaks to let the ladies 

lez-vous essayer ces vetements judge how they fit. 
pour ces dames ? . 

Mme. de Parnes, Mme. de Parnes. 

Je ne vois rien de tres nou- I don't see any thing very 

veau. Je voudrais du blanc, new. I should like something 

pour visites de noce. white, for a bride. 



Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Je vais vous montrer une pe- I will show you a beautifal 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 117 

tite pelisse en moire blanche, white moire short cloak, trim- 

garnie d'hermine d'un gout ex- med with ermine. 

quis. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Ce n'est pas mal. Marie, It is quite pretty. How be- 

comnue cela vous irait bien, coming it would be to you, 

mon enfant. Marie. 

Marie. Marie. 

C'est beaucoup trop beau. Much too fine. 

Laure. Laura. 

Je ne suis pas de ton avis. I do not think so. "We se- 

Nons choisissons ce modele-la, lect this pattern, do we not, 

n'est-ce pas, maman ? mamma ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Je veux bien. Pouvez-vous I am willing. Can you have 

m'en faire un pareil avant huit a similar one made for me in a 

jours ? week ? 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Sans doute. Madame veut- Certainly. Will you look at 

elle voir autre chose ? any thing else ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Je voudrais des volants en I should like to see some 

dentelle noire. black lace flounces. 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Nous en avons de tres beaux. We have very handsome 

En voici d'un genre nouveau. ones. Here are some of a new 

style. 



118 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PAEIS. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 



Cenx-ci me paraissent plus These appear finer to me. I 

fins. Je prefere deux larges prefer two wide flounces to 

volants a trois volants etroits ; three narrower ones ; they are 

ils sont plus beaux en general, generally handsomer. 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Madame veut-elle une garni- Will you have a trimming 

ture de corsage en pareil ? for the waist of the same ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui. De quel prix est cette Yes. What is the price of 

garniture complete ? this set ? 



Le Commis. 
Mille francs, madame. 

Mme. de Parnes. 



The Clerk. 
A thousand francs. 

Mme. de Parnes. 



Je prendrai la moins chere I will take the less expensive 

de ces deux-ci ; elles sont egale- of these two ; they are equally 

ment belles. Envoyez-moi tons pretty. Send me all these 

ces objets a FHotel de Parnes. things to the Hotel de Parnes. 

Le Commis. The Clerk. 

Je connais I'adresse de ma- I know your direction, ma'am, 

dame. Y aj outer ai-je la note ? Shall I inclose the bill ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, monsieur. Bonjour. (i^5 Yes. Good morning. {The 

dames remontent en voiture.) ladies return to the carriage,) 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Chez Constantin, Jacques. 



Mme. de Parnes. 
To Constantin's, James. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS 

♦ Laure. ^ 



119 



• Laura. 

Quel monde que ces maga- What a world these stores 
sins ! lis sont bien fatigants a are ! It is fatiguing to walk 
parcourir. through them. 

Marie. 

While I was looking at those 
beautiful laces, I could not help 
sighing at the thought of the 
toil and long vigils which they 
have cost. Many a bitter tear 
has fallen upon them. 



Marie. 

En voyant ces belles den- 
telles, je ne pouvais m'emp^- 
cher de soupirer en pensant a 
toute la peine, aux veilles for- 
cees qu'elles ont coutees. Plus 
d'une larme amere est tombee 
sur leurs reseaux. 



Laure. Laura. 

Tu as manque ta vocation, Marie, you have mistaken 

Marie ; tu aurais dii etre mis- your vocation ; you should 

sionnaire aux Grandes Indes. have been a missionary to 

India. 

Marie. * Marie. 

n me semble qu'il y a assez Methinks there is enough to 

a faire pour soulager ses sem- do for the relief of our fellow- 

blables sans aller si loin. beings without going so far. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Et cela n'empeche pas d'etre And that does not prevent 

marquise et de porter des dia- one's becoming a marchioness, 

mants ; n'est-ce pas, Marie ? and wearing diamonds either ; 

does it, Marie ? 



Marie. 
Je ne sais pas, ma tante. 



Marie. 
I don't know, aunt. 



120 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Mme. de Paris^s. Mme. de Parnes. . 

Vous avez cependant -ex- You certainly did express a 

prime une bien grande admi- great admiration for the coro- 

ration pour la couronne de net of a marquis, the other day, 

marquis, il y a quelques jours, before a person who is entitled 

en presence de quelqu'un qui to wear one. 
en porte une. 



Marie. 

Oh ! je la trouve charmante, 
en effet. 



Marie. 
Oh ! I think it beautiful. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Ce pauvre Forlis etait si heu- Poor Forlis, he was so 

reux ! II faut avouer que sa res- happy ! You must confess that 

pectueuse admiration merite his respectful admiration de- 

,bien une recompense. serves a reward. 

Marie. Marie. 

Nous verrons, chere tante. W^ will see about it, dear 

II me faut toujours beaucoup de aunt. It always takes me a 

temps pour me decider a quel- long time to make up my mind 

que chose. to any thing, 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Peut-etre se fatiguera-t-il Perhaps he may get tired of 

d'attendre. waiting. 



Marie. 



Marie. 



Alors, ce ne serait pas une Then he would be no loss, 
perte que je ferais la. {La vol- {The carriage stops at Constan- 
ture s'^arrete chez Constantin) tin's.) 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 121 

Laure (has a Marie). Laura (whispering to Marie). 

Maman n'est pas contente de Mamma is not pleased with 

toi. you. 

Mme. de Parnes (a la demoi- Mme. de Parnes {to the young 

selle), 9^rl)' 

Je voudrais voir une guir- I would like to see a wreath 

lande en acacia rose. ^ of pink acacia. 

La Demoiselle. The Young Girl. 

En voici une charmante. On Here is a very pretty one. 

porte beaucoup de chevre- Honeysuckle is very much worn, 

feuille, c'est encore plus leger. it is more graceful. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Je prefere I'acacia. Ce bou- I prefer the acacia. This 

quet de corsage n'est pas assez bouquet is not full enough, 
fourni. 

La Demoiselle. The Young Girl. 

J'y ajouterai quelques fleurs, I will add a few flowers to it. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Montrez-moi des guirlandes Show me some bridal wreaths, 

de mariee. En avez-vous de Have you any new ones ? 
nouvelles ? 

La Demoiselle. The Young Girl. 

Oui, de differents genres ; Yes, of diflferent styles ; 

voici les mieux portees. these are the most genteel. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes, 

EUes sont assez jolies, mais je They are rather pretty, but 



122 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



n'admire pas ce feuillage. Pour- I do not like those leaves. Can 

riez-vous m'en faire faire une you liave one made for me en- 

toute blanche ? Laure, essayez tirely white ? Laura, try this 

celle-ci. one on. 



La Demoiselle. 

EUe vous sied a merveille, 
c'est elegant au possible. Ma- 
dame a-t-elle ete contente de la 
garniture de robe qu'elle a 
commandee il y a huit jours 
pour le bal de Mme. Mer- 
court ? 



The Youno Girl. 
It is very becoming to you, 
and perfectly elegant. Were 
you pleased with the flowers 
you ordered a week ago, to 
trim a dress for Mrs. Mercourt's 
ball? 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Elle a ete tres admiree. It was very much admired. 

Porte-t-on toujours des fruits Are fruit and fall-leaves still 

et des feuillages d'automne ? worn ? 

La Demoiselle. The Young Girl. 

Beaucoup,madame. LaPrin- A great deal, ma'am. The 

cesse Mathilde avait une toi- Princess Matilda wore a dress 

lette de ce genre au bal du Mi- trimmed in that way at the 

nistre de I'Interieur. On dit ball given by the Ministre de 

qu'elle etait ravissante. I'Interieur. I am told it was 

beautiful. 



-r, /^ •»«■ Mme. de Parnes (to Mme. de 

Mme. de Parnes (a Mme. de / 

^ . . \ Brevannes, who enters the 

Brevannes ova, entre), ' 

store). 

Quel bonheur de vous ren- How happy I am to see 

contrer, chere madame. (^ Miss you, dear madam. (To Miss 

Howard.) Bonjour, mademoi- Howard.) How are you, Miss 

selle. Howard? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 123 

Mme. de Brevannes. Mme. de Brevannes. 

Quelle bonne fortune pour We are lucky, this morning, 

nous ! Oh ! nous voila deja en Oh ! already in bridal attire, 

mariee, Mademoiselle Laure ! Miss Laura ? That head-dress 

Cette coiffure est charmante. is beautiful. 

Laure. Laura. 

Je ne la trouve pas tres jo- I do not think it very pretty, 
lie. 

Fanny {has a Marie). Fanny (whispering to Marie). 

Je vous en prie, dites-moi Do tell me who sent me that 

qui m'a envoye ce bouquet. Je bouquet. I am dying to know, 
meurs d'envie de le savoir. 

Marie (has), Marie (whispering), 

Et si c'etait quelqu'un qui Suppose it should be some 

vous deplut ? one you do not fancy ? 

Fanny (has). Fanny (whispering), 

Non, non. J'ai un petit soup- No, it is not. I have a slight 

9on ; mais non, je dois me suspicion about it ; but no — I 

tromper. must be mistaken. 

Marie (has), Marie (whispering). 

Si c'etait Arthur de Bre- Suppose it should be Arthur 

vannes ? de Brevannes ? 

Fanny (has), Fanny (whispering). 

Oh ! ne me dites pas que Oh ! do not tell me it is he. 
c'est lui. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

H me semble qu'on conspire There is a conspiracy going 



124 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 



la-bas. Marie, venez done es- on over there. Marie, do try 

sayer cette guirlande de ma- on this bridal wreath ; I would 

riee ; je veux voir I'efFet qu'elle like to see how it looks on 

produit sur des bandeaux. bandeaux. 

Marie {essay ant les fleurs), Marie {trying on the flowers), 

EUe va bien mieux a Laure. It is much more becoming 

to Laura. 

Mme. de Parnes (a Mme. de Mme. de Parnes [to Mme. de 

Brevannes). Brevannes). 

Quelle jolie mariee ! What a lovely bride ! 



Laure. 



Laura. 



Allons, maman, je prends Come, mamma, I will take 

celle-ci. II est trois heures ; this one. It is three o'clock ; 

M. de Montreuil nous attendra M. de Montreuil will be expect- 

chez Janisset. ing us at Janisset's. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

C'est vrai. Je m'oubliais 
parmi toutes ces fleurs. Adieu, 



Mme. de Parnes. 

That is true. In the midst 
of these flowers I had forgotten 
madame. Ces clochettes bleues myself. Farewell. These blue- 
iront parfaitement sur les che- bells will look sweetly on Miss 
veux blonds de Miss Fanny. Fanny's light hair. 



Fanny {avec indifference). 

Mme. de Brevannes me coiffe, 
m'habille a son gout. Je suis 
tout a fait indifi'erente a cet 
egard. 



Fanny {carelessly), 

Mme. de Brevannes orders 
my dresses and head-dresses 
according to her taste. I am 
very indifierent on the subject. 



Mme. de Brevannes. Mme. de Brevannes. 

Beaucoup trop, petite chatte. A great deal too indifierent, 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



125 



Adieu, mesdames. A bientot. Miss Puss. Farewell, ladies. I 
{Les dames remontent en voi- will see you soon, I hope. {The 
ture.) ladies return to the cai-riage) 



Laure. 

Nous ne pourrons rester 
qu'un instant chez le joaillier, 
maman. Je dois me trouver 
cliez Mme. de Lussan a quatre 
heures. 



Laura. 

We will not be able to stay 
more than a few minutes at the 
jeweller's, mamma. I must be 
at Mme. de Lussan's at four 
o'clock. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, oui ; c'est tout pres Yes ; it is not far from here, 

d'ici. Du reste, la duchesse Besides, the duchess is very sel- 

est rarement exacte dans ses dom punctual in her appoint- 

rendez-YOus. Marie, vous avez ments. Marie, you look tired. 
I'air un peu fatiguee. 

Marie. Marie. 

La tete se ressent du bruit et The noise and great variety 

de la variete d'objets que I'on of things, which one sees in 

voit dans les magasins. the stores, are apt to give one a 

headache. 



Laure. 

II faut I'habitude de toutes 
ces choses-la. Je ne m'en fa- 
tigue jamais. Ah ! nous voila : 
j'apergois M. de Montreuil. Y 
a-t-il longtemps que vous nous Have you been waiting for us 
attendez, monsieur ? 



Laura. 

You must become accus- 
tomed to all these things. I 
never tire of them. Ah ! here 
we are : I see M. de Montreuil. 



lono; ? 



M, DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil. 

Quelques minutes seulement. A few minutes only. {The 



126 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



{Les dames sortent de voiture et ladies leave the carriage, and 
entrent chez tTanisset) walk into Janissefs,') 



M. DE MONTREUIL. 

Montrez-nous la parure de 
diamants que j'ai choisie ce 
matin. En voici une autre a 
votre choix. 



M. DE MONTREUIL. 

Show us the set of diamonds 
which I selected this morn- 
ing. Here is another one ; you 
can choose between the two. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

II me semble que pour la It seems to me that, con- 

grosseur des diamants, ils ne sidering the size of the dia- 

font pas beaucoup d'efFet. Ceux monds, they do not produce 

de votre cousine sont bien plus much effect. Your cousin's are 

avantageusement montes. set to much more advantage. 



The Jeweller. 

Here is a setting similar to the 
one you allude to. If you com- 
pare it to that which M. de 
Montreuil has selected, you will 
find it much less elegant. 

Laure. Laura. 

Certainement, maman ; ceci Certainly, mamma ; this is 

est bien plus nouveau. Les much more modern. The ear- 

boucles d'oreilles surtout sont rings particularly are beautiful, 
charm antes. 



Le Joaillier. 

Voici une monture pareille a 
celle dont vous parlez ; si vous 
la comparez a celle que M. de 
Montreuil a choisie, vous ver- 
rez, madame, qu'elle est beau- 
coup moins elegante. 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Je me rends a la majorite. 

Le Joaillier. 
Voici la chatelaine ; c'est un 



Mme. de Parnes. 
I give up to the majority. 

The Jeweller. 
Here is the chatelaine ; it is 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



127 



veritable objet d'art ; rien ne really a work of art ; notbing 

peut etre plus distingue. Est- can be more genteel. Does it 

elle a votre goOt, madame ? suit your fancy, ma^am ? 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

II me serait impossible de It is faultless. Tbis little co- 

lui trouver un defaut. Cette ronet of diamonds is exquisite, 
petite couronne de comtesse en 
brillants est trop jolie. 



Laure, 
C'est un bijou ! 



Laura. 
It is a love ! 



Le Joaillier. The Jeweller. 

Voici encore deux bracelets Here are also two bracelets 

que M. de Montreuil a cboisis wbicb M. de Montreuil selected 

ce matin ; c'est d'un genre tout ^tbis morning ; tbe style is very 

nouveau. new. 



Laure. ^ Laura. 

M. de Montreuil fait des fo- M. de Montreuil is too ex- 
lies, travagant. 

M. DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil. 

Nous discuterons cela une We will discuss tbe matter 

autre fois, belle dame. Ces bra- anotber time, fair lady. Do 

celets vous plaisent-ils ? you like tbese bracelets ? 



Laure. 
lis sont superbesi 

Mme. de Parnes, 

Quelle cbarmante petite 
montre ! 



Laura. 
They are superb ! 

Mme. de Parnes. 
What a sweet little watch! 



128 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

^ Le Joaillier. The Jeweller. 

EUe est a Mme. de Lussan. It belongs to Mme. de Lus- 

san. 

Laure. Laura. 

Oh ! cela me fait penser que Oli ! that reminds me that 

la duchesse nous attend. the duchess is expecting us. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

J'ai une place a vous offrir, I have a seat to offer you, 

Alfred. Alfred. 

M. DE MONTREUIL. M. DE MoNTREUIL. 

J'accepte avec plaisir, ma- I accept it with pleasure. 
dame. {Les dames remontent {The ladies return to the car- 
en Hoiture,) riage.) 

Laure (a Jacques). Laura (to James). 

A THotel de HoUande. Ma- Drive to the Hotel de Hol- 

rie, tiens, voila M. de Forlis lande. Marie, there is M. de 

qui nous salue, la, a droite. II Forlis bowing to us, there, on 

me semble que tu reponds bien the right. You do not seem 

froidement. to notice him. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Que s'est-il done passe de- What has taken place since 

puis hier ? Si le marquis avait yesterday ? If the marquis had 

eu Tadresse de vous demander been smart enough to offer him- 

en mariage alors, je crois que self then, I think you would 

vous auriez consenti volontiers willingly have consented to 

a porter son titre. Aujourd'hui bear his title. To-day your 

vous etes toute changee. feelings are no longer the 

same. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 129 

Marie. Marie. 

Vous vous trompez, ma tante. You are mistaken, aunt. I 
J'estime beaucoup M. le mar- think very highly of the mar- 
quis, quis. 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Est-ce tout ? 



Mme. de Parnes. 
Is that all ? 



M. DE Montreuil. M. de Montreuil, 

Ah ! ma jolie cousine est ca- Ah! my pretty cousin is ca- 
pricieuse. pricious. 



Marie. 

Nous voila rendues. Adieu, 
eh ere tante, et merci mille fois 
pour I'agreable matinee que 
vous m'avez fait passer. Adieu, 
Laure. Mon cousin futur, au 
revoir. Vous verrez, d'ici a dix 
ens, si je suis capricieuse. 

Mme. de Parnes. 

A demain soir, mon enfant : 
c'est mon jeudi. 



Marie. 

Here we are. Farewell, dear 
aunt; many thanks for the 
agreeable morning I have spent. 
Good by, Laura. Farewell, 
cousin that is to be. You will 
see, between this and ten years, 
whether I am capricious or not. 

Mme. de Parnes. 

I shall expect you to-morrow 
evening : it is my Thursday at 
home. 



Laure. Laura. 

Bonjoui,Marie.(^ Jacques.) Good morning, Marie. [To 
Chez Mme. de Lussan. James.) Drive to Mme. de 

Lussan's. 
6* 



130 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PABIS. 



CHAPITKE XV. 

La Soiree en Famille. 
Apres le Diner. 



CHAPTER XV. 

The Evening at Home, 
After Dinner. 



Mme. Daeville. — ^Marie. — Le gene- Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — General 
RAL Bertrand.— George Dalbret. Bertrand.— George Dalbret. — » 
— Charles. — ^Bonchamp* Charles. — Bonchamp. 



Le GiiNERAL Bertrand. General Bertrand. 

En verite, c'est un plaisir Well! it is a real treat to 

de venir a Paris, pour yfaire come to Paris, to enjoy sucli 

si bonne chere ; votre table est good living ; you have an ex- 

excellente. cellent table. 



Marie. 
Do you think so, general? 



Marie. 

Vous trouvez, general ? Eh 
bien ! moi, je donnerais toutes Well ! I would give all the del- 
les friandises de chez Chevet, icacies which are sold at Che- 
pour une jatte de creme et du vet's, for a cup of cream and 
pain bis. some rye bread. 

Charles. Charles. 

C'est un gout deprave ; ou You have a depraved taste ; 

une afiectation, ma tres chere or else you are very affected, 

marquise. my dear marchioness. 

Marie. Marie. 

Charles, nous nous facherons. Charles, I shall quarrel with 

you. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



131 



George (riant). 

Je vols qu'on se dispute a 
Paris, comme a Vogerolles. 



George (laughing), 

I see that you do not agree 
any better here than you did at 
Vogerolles* 

Marie. Marie. 

Charles me rend la vie dure ; Charles worries me to death ; 
le mechant 1 Je ne vous aime naughty fellow ! I do not love 



plus du tout, monsieur. 

Charles (Tembrassant). 

Allons, chere petite soeur ; je 
ne le ferai plus. Me pardon- 
nes-tu ? 

Le G^NtRAL. 

Voyons, mes enfants. Par- 
lez-moi un peu de ce que vous 
avez vu ici. 

Mme. Darville [sonnant, a 
Bon CHAMP qui entre), 

Dites a Suzette de m'envoyer 
ma corbeille a ouvrage. Ge- 
neral, vous etes bien mal assis ; 
prenez ce fauteuil. Ces jeunes 
gens vont vous conter mille 
choses, qui vous retiendront as- 
sez tard. 



you one bit, sir, 

Charles (kissing her). 

Come, sister dear ; I won't 
do it any more. Will you for- 
give me ? 

The General. 

Let us hear something about 
all that you have seen here, my 
children. 

Mrs. Darville (ringing the belL 
To BoNCHAMP, who enters). 

Tell Suzette to send me my 
work-basket. General, you have 
an uncomfortable seat; take 
this arm-chair. These young 
people will chat about a thou- 
sand things, which will keep 
you up pretty late. 



Le G^NteAL. The General. 

N'oubliez pas, qu'apres dix Remember, that after ten 

heures, je dors profondement. o'clock, I shall be fast asleep. 

Jusque la, je suis tout oreilles. Until then, I am a most atten- 



132 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

D'abord, avez-vous vu Racliel t tive listener. First, have you 

seen Eachel ? 

Charles. Cpiarles. 

Je cede la parole a Marie, I will let Marie describe her, 

que j'ai trouvee Pautre jour de- as I caught her the other day 

vant une glace, imitant Camille, before the glass, imitating Ca- 

dans les Horaces. Ce n'etait mille, in the Horaces. And a 

pas une mauvaise imitation du pretty good imitation it was — 

tout — vraiment ! really ! 

George. George. 

Charles, si tu ne cesses tes Now, Charles, if you do not 

farces, nous n'apprendrons rien. stop your fun, we shall not hear 

Mademoiselle Marie, continuez any thing. Miss Marie, pray 

je vous en prie. go on. 

Marie. Marie. 

II me serait tout a fait impos- It would be quite impossible 

sible, de vous donner une idee for me to give you an idea of 

de la celebre tragedienne. II the celebrated tragedian. You 

faut la voir, Tentendre — c'est la must see her, hear her— she is 

perfection dans toute Facception perfection to its fullest extent ! 

du mot ! En la voyant — tenez When I saw her, in the Ho- 

— dans les Horaces — ^je me cro- races, for instance, I fancied 

yais a Kome, je m'identifiais myself at Rome. I became 

avec toutes les sensations de identified with all Camille's feel- 

Camille, et I'attraction que cette ings, and the attraction which 

femme extraordinaire exerce sur this extraordinary woman ex- 

moi, est si grande, que m^me ercises over me is so great, that 

si je me croyais exposee a un were I exposed to- any immedi- 

danger en I'ecoutant, je ne sau- ate danger, I could not resist 

rais resister au charme de Ten- the temptation of listening to 

tendre. her. v 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



133 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

C'est la fascination du genie ; It is the fascination of genius ; 

peu de personnes peuvent s'y few are exempt from its effects, 
soiistraire. 

Le General. The General* 

J'ai eprouve cette sensation, I remember feeling the same 

en entendant Mile. Mars ; seule- sensation when I heard Mile, 

ment son genre de seduction, Mars ; with this difference, that 

etait plus gracieux, moins grave, her attractions were of a softer 

nature. 



Marie. 

Voyez-vous, general, le talent 
de Rachel et la voix d'Alboni, 
sont deux merveilles aussi ex- 
traordinaires dans leur genre 
que celles de la Grece, dont 
maman me parlait toujours dans 
mon enfance. 



Marie. 

Really, general, Rachel's tal- 
ent and Alboni's voice, are two 
wonders quite as extraordinary 
as the seven of ancient times, 
which mamma used to de- 
scribe to me in my childhood. 



Charles. Charles. 

H est vrai qu'Alboni est un True, Alboni is quite as mar- 

colosse, presqu' aussi merveilleux vellous a colossus as that of 

que celui de Rhodes. Rhodes. 



Marie. 

II faut que nous allions en- 
semble entendre Rachel dans le 
role d'Hermione ; dans Phedre 
elle est admirable ! II y a aussi 
aux Francais, une jeune actrice, 
Madeleine Brohan, qui vous fera 
plaisir. Elle est charmante, 
dans les Contes de la Reine de 



Marie. 

We must go together to see 
Rachel as Hermione ; in Phe- 
dre she is admirable — grand 1 
At the Frangais there is also a 
young actress, Madeleine Bro- 
han, whom you will hear with 
pleasure. In the Contes de la 
Reine de Navarre, the demoi- 



134 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Navarre, les demoiselles de St. selles de St. Gjr and Mademoi- 

Cyr et Mademoiselle de la Sei- selle de la Seigiiere, she is 

gliere, elle est jolie et gra- sweetly graceful, 
cieuse au possible. 



Le G^n^ral. 

Comme nous allons nous 
amuser ! Et a I'opera, chere 
enfant, qu'avez-vous entendu ? 

Marie. ^ 

Le Prophete. Le role de 
Fides est ciiante par cette mer- 
veilleuse Alboni, dont la voix 
vibre jusqu'au fond du coeur. 
Elle n'est pas bonne actrice 
et pen gracieuse de sa per- 
sonne ; mais elle a un talent 
unique. C'est le Rossignol du 
chant. Elle est superbe dans 
le chef d'oemTe de Meyerbeer. 
Roger m'a fait grand plaisir 
aussi, et quant a la mise en 
scene, c'est d'une perfection 
rare. Nous avons entendu le 
Juif Errant, FEtoile du Nord ; 
mais la musique ne me plait 
pas autant que celle du Pro- 
phete, des Huguenots et de 
Eobert le Diable. 



The General. 

How much pleasure we have 
in store ! And what have you 
heard at the opera, dear child I 

Marie. 

The Prophet. The part of 
Fides is sung by that wonderful 
Alboni, whose voice finds an 
echo in the depth of one's 
heart. She is a poor actress 
and not graceful; but her tal- 
ent cannot be equalled. She 
is the nightingale of song. In 
Meyerbeer's master-piece, she 
is magnificent. I was also 
much pleased with Roger, and 
as for the scenery, it is got up 
with rare perfection. We heard 
the Juif Errant and the Etoile 
du Nord; but I do not like 
that music as well as the Pro- 
phet, the Huguenots and Rob- 
ert le Diable. 



BoNCHAMP (apportant une cor- Bonchamp {brings in a basket 
beille de hyacinthes). of hyacinths). 

Pour mademoiselle. This is for Miss Marie. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



135 



Charles. Charles. 
Tiens ! la carte de Forlis. Ah ! a card from Forlis. A 
Une galanterie d'un elegant delicate attention from an ex- 
marquis, qui possede cent mille quisite marquis, who possesses 
livres de rente, general. an income of a hundred thou- 
sand francs, general. 

Le G^n^ral. The General. 

Comment, ces fripons de Pa- What ! these Parisians are 

risiens te font deja la cour, Pe- courting you already, Petite? 
tite ? 

George {tristement), George (sadly), 

Cela n'est pas etonnant, mon No wonder, uncle ; they are 

oncle ; ils ne sont ni aveugles, neither deaf, nor blind, 
ni sourds. 



Marie, 

C'est une histoire toute sim- 
ple. L'autre soir, chez Mme. 
Mercourt, je dansais avec ce 
monsieur, et j 'admirals beau- 
coup une corbeille, dans le gen- 
re de celle-ci. C'est sans doute 
a cause de cela qu'il s'est per- 
mis de me I'offrir. 



Marie. 

The story is a very simple 
one. The other evening, at 
Mrs. Mercourt's,, I was dancing 
with that gentleman, and hap- 
pened to admire a basket like 
this. It is probably for that 
reason he took the liberty of 
sending me one. 



Charles. Charles. 

Qui, gener^. ISTous sommes Yes, general. We are launch- 
lances dans la haute aristocra- ed in tip-top aristocracy. The 
tie. Le faubourg St. Germain Faubourg St. Germain loads us 
nous fait des graces ; ce sont with favors — balls, parties, rides 
des bals, des soirees, des pro- on horseback to the Bois. To- 



136 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



menades au Bois. Demain en- 
core, si vous voulez vous pro- 
mener dans les Champs Elysees, 
vers trois heures, vous verrez 
passer Mademoiselle Darville et 
son amiable frere, sans compter 
sa noble cousine de Parnes, ac- 
compagnes d'un comte et d'un 
marquis. Me vois-tu, George, 
avec mes idees republicaines en 
pareille societe? Aussi, c'est 
par pur devouement pour Ma- 
rie, qui, a toute force, veut etre 
marquise. 



morrow we go again. If you 
should fancy a walk at the 
Champs Elysees, towards three 
o'clock, you will see Miss Dar- 
ville, her accomplished brother, 
moreover, her noble cousin de 
Parnes, accompanied by a mar- 
quis and a count. George, can 
you fancy me, with my repub- 
lican notions, in such company ? 
But it is out of sheer devotion 
to Marie, who insists upon be- 
ing a marchioness. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

En verite, Charles, vous de* Really, Charles, you talk in 

raisonnez. a very foolish manner. 

George (souriant). George {smiling), 

J'ai dans I'idee, mon cher I rather think, my dear fel- 

ami, que tes velleites republi- low, that your republican prin* 

caines s'arrangent a merveille ciples are satisfied with their 

de leur nouvel entourage. new social position. 



Charles. 



Charles. 



George, tu te meprends. George, you misunderstand 
Moi ! renoncer a ce grand me. What ! give up that great 
principe? a ce reve de mes principle, the cherished dream 



jeunes ann^es ? — jamais I 



of my youth ? — never ! 



Le GjiiN^RAL. The General. 

Enfin, n'importe. Plus je vis Well, no matter. The lon- 
et plus je vois, que je suis un ger I live, the more I think 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 137 

vieux sot ; malgre mes soixante myself an old fool, notwitli- 

et quinze ans. . standing my seventy-five years 

of experience. 

Marie, Marie. 

Non ; vous etes le meilleur, No ; you are the kindest, the 

le plus aimable des vieux amis, best of old friends. We will 

Nous reussirons bien a vous le talk you into that conviction ; 

persuader ; n'est-ce pas, maman ? will we not, mamma ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je I'espere bien, mon enfant. I hope so, dear child. Come ; 

Voyons ; ces fleurs sont bien these flowers are very beautiful, 

belles, mais elles ont interrom- but they have interrupted our 

pu notre petite causerie. Vous little chat. You were telling 

nous disiez que vous aviez ete us that you had been to the 

au Louvre aujourd'hui, Avez- Louvre to-day. Did you notice 

vous remarque ce tableau de the painting of the Guardian 

I'Ange Gardien, qui fait courir Angel, which all the Parisians 

tout Paris ? N'est-il pas admi- have been to see ? Is it not 

rable ? beautiful ? 

George. George. 

J'ai passe une heure a le I was a whole hour looking 

contempler. D'abord, parce- at it ; partly because it is really 

qu'il ressemble vraiment a Ma- a strong likeness of Miss Marie, 

demoiselle Marie, et ensuite, and for its own intrinsic merit, 

parcequ'il a un merite reel. It is nature itself — you can al- 

C'est la nature — il semble qu'on most fancy you hear the conso- 

pourrait entendre les paroles de ling words which the Angel 

consolation que I'Ange adresse addresses to the unfortunate 

au pauvre jeune homme qu'il youth whom he is visiting : it 

vient visiter : c'est d'une beaute is a very fine painting ! 
rare ! 



138 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

Le G]§:neral. The General. 

J'en ai ete si ravi, que j'y I was so delighted with it 

suis revenii deux fois. Le nom that I returned twice to look at 

du peintre est tout-a-fait incon- it. The name of the painter is 

nu ; il est signe Raphael- — unknown ; it is signed Raphael 

quelle singuliere idee ! — what a strange fancy ! 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, c'est inconcevable ! Ce Yes, quite inconceivable ! The 

tableau doit avoir une grande painting must be very valuable, 

valeur, et il n'est pas presuma- and most probably the artist is 

ble que Fartiste soit riche. not rich. 

Le General. The General. ^ 

Avez-vous visite les monu- Have you visited any of the 

ments publics ? public buildings ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Nous en avons vu quelques- We have seen a few — the 
uns — le Luxembourg, la Biblio- Luxembourg, the Imperial Li- 
theque Luperiale, THotel de brary, the Hotel de Cluny, 
Cluny, qui m'a vivement inte- which I enjoyed very much, 
ressee. Nous avons ete a Ver- We have been to Versailles, 
sailles, a Fontainebleau, a St. Fontainebleau, St. Cloud, etc. 
Cloud, etc. Mais je veux re- But I must see all those mag- 
voir toutes ces belles choses nificent sights again with you. 
avec vous. George a une me- George has such a capital mem- 
moire si exacte, qu'il doit etre ory, he must be an excellent 
un charmant cicerone. guide. 

Georg^. George. 

Depuis que j'ai I'esprit aux Since my mind has been bent 

affaires, je m'apergois que je on business, I notice th^t I have 

perds un peu cette facilite que partially lost that ready mem- 

je possedais autrefois. ory which I possessed formerly. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 139 

Le General. The General. 

C'est la vieillesse qui se fait It is the effect of old age. 

sentir. A vingt-cinq ans, c'est At twenty-five it is quite prob- 

tres probable. Heureuse jeu- able. Happy young folks ! 

nesse ! hein ! Madame Darville ? hey ! Mrs. Darville ? They do 

lis ne savent pas apprecier leur not appreciate their advantages, 
bonheur. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je vous dirai, mon vieil ami, To tell you the truth, my old 

que pour moi, le declin de la friend, I view the decline of 

vie n'a rien de penible. Je n'ai life without bitterness. The 

qu'un desir — c'est de voir mes happiness of my children is my 

enfants heureux. Ma tache only aim. My task once ac- 

une fois accomplie, j'irai finir complished, I will end my days 

mes jours a \^ogerolles, avec in sweet quietude at Voge- 

une douce satisfaction. roUes. 

Le General. The General. 

Tout cela est charmant en All that is very fair as a 

theorie ; mais attendez que les theory ; but let the minor in- 

petites infirmites vous arri- firmities creep upon you and 

vent, que vous ne puissiez deprive you of the enjoy- 

plus jouir de la vie, vous ments of life, then you will sing 

m'en direz des nouvelles, chere another song, dear lady, 
dame. 

Charles {qui a feuillete un Charles {who has been looking 

album), at an album), 

C'est tort amusant ce que Well, you are very amus- 

vous dites la. Depuis le com- ing. I had kept quiet, since 

pHment qu'on m'a fait tout-a- you scolded me just now about 

I'heure sur mon bavardage, je my loquacity ; but I really was 



140 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



m'etais tenu coi. Mais, en ve- 
rite, j'etais beaucoiip plus drole ! 
Tu sais, maman, que les sujets de 
vieillesse, de separation, te sent 
defendus, D'abord, pour ma part, 
je n'epouserai jamais qu'une 
femme qui t'adorera et qui 
aimera Yogerolles; c'est une 
chose arrangee. Quant a Ma- 
rie, si elle veut habiter Paris, 
ell bien ! nous la confierons aux 
soins empresses de ma tante de 
Parnes, et nous viendrons de 
temps en temps la voir. 



more entertaining. Now, moth- 
er, you know that you are 
not allowed to mention those 
subjects — old age and sepa- 
ration. First and foremost, I 
never shall marry any woman 
who will not love you dearly, 
and like Yogerolles; that is 
settled. As for Marie, if she 
insists upon living in Paris, we 
will intrust her to the anxious 
care of our aunt de Parnes, and 
we will come to see her, now 
and then. 



Marie. Marie. 

Eh bien ! voila un arrange- Well, that is a very nice ar- 
ment bien aimable pour moi, rangement for me, sir. I won't 
monsieur. Je me vengerai, et put up with it, and if you con- 
si vous continuez a me tour- tinue to worry me, I will mar- 
menter, j'epouserai le general. ry the General. 



Le General. 
Je donne mon consentement. 



The General. 
I agree to that. 



CBoNCHAMP apporte du the, une (Bonchamp brings in the tea, a 
brioche etun baba») brioche and a baba.) 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

La discussion a du vous don- Your discussion must have 

ner de Tappetit, mes enfants. given you an appetite, my chil- 

George est le seul raisonnable dren. George is the only rea- 

de nous cinq. sonable one among us. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



14:1 



Marie. 

Je crois bien ; Charles ne le 
taquine pas ; d'ailleurs, il a tou- 
jours ete notre mentor. 



Marie. 

No wonder, Charles does not 
tease him. Besides, he has 
always been our mentor. 



GEORaE. George. 

Ce n'est pas un role bien dif- It is not a difficult task, by 
ficile a remplir. any means. 



Marie. 

Je ne sais pas trop. Gene- 
ral, vous servirai-je du the ? 
Charles, tisonne done un peu 
ce pauvre feu qui s'en va. II 
fait si froid ce soir. 



Marie. 

I don't know about that. 
General, shall I give you a cup 
of tea? Charles, do stir that 
fire, it is going out. It is so 
cold to-night. 



Le G^NfiRAL. The General. 

Une bonne tasse de the n'est A good cup of tea is very 
pas de refus. acceptable. 



Mme. Darville. 

Nous devons de la reconnais- 
sance aux Anglais, pour cet 
agreable usage ; il nous est 
venu avec le mot comfort^ qui 
exprime si bien tout ce qui pent 
contribuer au bien-etre de la 
vie. 



Mrs. Darville, 

"We owe a debt of gratitude 
to the English for this agree- 
able custom, which came to us 
at the same time as the word 
comfort^ which expresses so 
well all that can contribute to 
make hfe agreeable. 



George. 

H nous manque aussi le 

home des Anglais et des Ame- Americans, is also missing in 

ricains. Cela me rappelle, que our language. This reminds 



George. 
The home of the English and 



142 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

ce matin M. Dorimont me par- me of what Mr. Dorimont was 

lait d'une delicieuse petite Ame- telling me this morning, about 

ricaine, adoptee par Mme. de a sweet American girl, whom 

Brevannes. II parait qu'elle Mme. de Brevannes has adopted, 

est charmante de beaute, de It appears, she is a lovely per- 

grace et de naivete. son ; pretty, graceful, and so 

unaffected. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

On I'admire beaucoup dans She is very much admired 

le monde ; mais, n'ayant pas de in society ; but having no dow- 

dot, il sera diflScile de la ma- er, she will not marry very easi- 

rier. ly. 

Le Geni&ral. The General. 

George, voyons ; voila un Here, George, is a match for 

parti a prendre. Sans etre you. Without being immense- 

millionnaire, si cette jeune per- ly wealthy, you can offer the 

Sonne est raisonnable, tu pour- young lady . a nice establish- 

ras encore lui faire une petite ment, if she is reasonable, 
existence tres agreable. 

George (souriant), George (smiling), 

Yous savez, mon oncle, que You know, uncle, that I am 

j'aima specialite, en fait de ma- peculiar in my views of matri- 

riage. Malgre toutes ses per- mony. Notwithstanding all her 

fections, je ne crois pas que perfections, I don't think Miss 

Miss Howard possede une seule Howard possesses one of the 

des qualites requises, pour de- qualities requisite to become 

venir ma femme. my wife. 

Charles. Charles. 

Tu es bien difficile, mon You are very fastidious, my 

cher. dear fellow. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 143 

Le General. The General. 

Onze heures ! Mes amis, Eleven o'clock ! It is un- 

c'est bien mal a vons de faire feeling in you, my dear friends, 

veiller si tard de pauvres pro- to make us poor provincials, 

vinciaux, qui se retirent tou- who always retire at ten o'clock, 

jours a dix heures. keep such late hours. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Pendant votre sejour dans During your stay in the 

la capitale, il faudra un peu capital, you will have to alter 

changer vos habitudes. Lorsque your habits. When we return 

nous retournerons a Yogerolles, to Vogerolles, we will resume 

nous reprendrons nos heures our rustic hours, with delight, 
rustiques, avec un plaisir ex- 
treme. 

Le Gl:N]feRAL. The General. 

Bah ! bah ! vous 6tes tons Nonsense ! You are all al- 
changes ; ou plutot les jeunes tered ; that is, the young folks ; 
gens ; car vous, chere dame, for you, dear lady, are still the 
vous 6tes toujours la meme. same. But Charles is no longer 
Mais ce Charles n'est plus re- a republican ; and Marie allows 
publicain ; Marie se laisse faire herself to be courted by a mar- 
la cour par un marquis. Oh ! quis. Oh ! Paris ! what a tempt- 
Paris ! Paris 1 er thou art ! 

Marie (boudani), Marie (^pouting). 

C'est bon, general; je ne Now, general ; I won't marry 

vous epouserai pas, si vous n'e- you, if you are not more amia- 

tes pas plus gentil. ble. 

Le Genieral. The General. 

Eh bien ! tu nous aimeras Well 1 come, will you prom- 



144 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

toujours ? et tu ne seras pas ise to love us as you used to ? 

marquise ? and not to become a marchion- 
ess ? 

Marie (hesitant). Marie (hesitating). 

Oui! Yes! 

Charles. Charles. 

Ne vous y fiez pas, general. Don't trust her, general, 

Le General (tristement). The General (sadly), 

Bonsoir, mes amis ; bonsoir. Good evening, friends ; good 

night. 

Mme. Darville, Mrs. Darville. 

A demain soir, messieurs, Gentlemen, we go together 

nous irons ensemble, voir Rachel to hear Each el in Phedre to- 

dans Phedre ; n'est-ce pas ? morrow ; do we not ! 

George. George. 

Sans doute, madame, avec le Of course, with the greatest 

plus grand plaisir. Je vous pleasure. Good evening. Miss 

salue. Mademoiselle Marie. Marie. 

Charles. Charles. 

George,jet'accompagne chez George, I will walk home 

toi ; nous fumerons ensemble, with you ; we will smoke to- 

(Ils sortent.) gether. (They retire) 

Mme. Darville (a Marie). Mrs. Darville (to Marie). 

Bonsoir, mon enfant. Tu ne Good night, dear. Are you 

vas pas te coucher ? not going to bed ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



145 



Marie. Marie. 

Dans un instant, maman ; je Very soon, mamma ; I must 
vais lire mon chapitre de VE- read my chapter in the Gospel, 
vangile. (Mme. Darville em- (Mrs. Barville kisses her 
brasse sa Jille et se retire.) daughter and leaves the par- 

lor) 



Marie (^prend son livre^ lit un 
instant, puis fond en lar- 
mes), 

Mon Dieu ! pourquoi suis-je 
jamais venue ici? Ayez pi- 
tie de moi. Seigneur, et diri- 
gez-moi dans la voie dii bonheur 
— et du salut! {JElle reprend 
son livre^ et apres sa lecture elle 
se retire,) 



Marie (takes her book, she 
reads a few minutes, and then 
bursts into tears). 

Oh Lord ! why did I come 
here ? Have mercy on me, 
and lead me in the path of hap- 
piness — and salvation ! {She 
takes up her book and retires, 
after having read a short time) 



CHAPITRE XVI. 
La Mansarde. 



Margueeite. — Mme. Rabot. 



CHAPTER XVI. 
The Garret. 



Margaret. — Mrs. Rabot. 



Marguerite. Margaret. 

Merci, ma bonne Madame Thank you, my kind friend ; 

Rabot ; tout est arrange main- every thing is in order now. It 

tenant. Je suis desolee de distresses me to give you all 

vous donner tant de peine. this trouble. 



146 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

Mme. Rabot. Mrs. Rabot. 

Wen parlez pas, ma cliere ; Don't mention it ; yon have 

vous avez eu assez souvent often assisted me ; and really 

des bontes pour moi. II one must be stone-hearted, not 

faudrait avoir un coeur de pierre, to be willing to help you bear 

pour ne pas vous aider a porter the heavy weight of care which 

la lourde charge de tracas que Providence sends you. 
le Ciel vous envoie. 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Helas ! oui ; et ce dernier Alas ! yes ; and this last ac- 

accident qui me retient dans ce cident which keeps me in this 

fauteuil, lorsqu'il me faudrait chair, when I ought to be about 

courir pour chercher de I'ou- in search of work ! But that 

vrage ! Mais tout cela ne serait would not be any thing if my 

rien, si mon fils se portait bien. son was well. 

Mme. Rabot. Mrs. Rabot. 

Ce pauvre jeune homme ! ca Poor young man ! It breaks 

me brise le coeur, de le voir si my heart to see him so unhap- 

malheureux. Heureusement, py. Fortunately, Miss Suzette 

que Mile. Suzette vous a pro- promised that her lady would 

mis une visite de sa dame au- come to see you to-day ; per- 

jourd'hui; peut-etre, que si Al- haps Albert would be better, if 

bert pouvait trouver a s'occuper, he could find something to do. 
il se porterait mieux. 

9 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Je ne sais pas trop si le pau- I scarcely think the poor boy 

vre enfant pourrait suivre un could Avork steadily at any 

travail assidu. II est si epuise, thing ; he is so exhausted, so 

si maigre. Mon Dieu! si je emaciated. O Lord! could I 

pouvais tout souffrir a moi toute but bear all alone ! 
seule ! 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



14:7 



Mme. Eabot. 

Allons, Mme. Marguerite ; 
vous n'etes pas raisonnable ; 
moi, j'ai bien de I'espoir dans 
la visite de cette bonne dame. 
Tenez, la voila justement; on 
Sonne, je vais vous laisser avec 
elle. Le docteur doit aussi 
venir aujourd'hui. 



Mrs. Rabot. 

Come, Mrs. Margaret, you 
are unreasonable ; I have great 
hopes of the result of that good 
lady's visit. I hear the bell ; 
it is she very likely. I will 
leave you together The doc- 
tor, also, is coming to-day. . 



Les hemes. — Mme. Daryille. — 
Marie. 



The same. — Mrs. Darville. 
Marie. 



Mme. Darville {a Mme. Ra- Mrs. Darville {to Mrs. Ra- 
bot). bot). 

Est-ce ici que demeure Mme. Does Mrs. Margaret, a seam- 
Marguerite, ouvriere en linge ? stress, live here. 



Mme. Rabot. 
Oui, madame ; la voici. 

Marguerite. 

Je voudrais pouvoir me lever, 
madame, pour vous remercier 
de toutes vos bontes ; mais M. 
Taurin m'a defendu le moindre 
mouvement ; et j'ai ete obhgee 
de prier ma bonne voisine de 
m' aider a faire mon menage. 



Mrs. Rabot. 
Yes, ma'am ; here she is. 

Margaret. 

I would like to be able to 
rise, to thank you for all your 
kindness, ma'am ; but Mr. Tau- 
rin forbid my making the 
slightest motion ; and I have 
been obliged to call on my good 
neighbor to help me to do my 
house-work. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J'avais dit a Suzette, de vous I had told Suzette to get a 
procurer une garde. nurse for you. 



148 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. ^ 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Oh ! cela n'est pas necessaire. Oh ! it is not worth while. 

Encore quelques jours et je se- In a few days I shall be about, 

rai sur pied. Asseyez - vous Do take a seat, ladies, 
done, mesdames. 

Mme. Darville {fasseyant). Mrs. Darville {tahing a seat). 

Vous ressentez-vous encore Do you still suffer from the 

beaucoup de votre chute ? effects of your fall ? 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Un peu, madame; mais je A little, ma'am; but I am 

suis habituee a la souffrance, et accustomed to suffer, and be- 

d'ailleurs, votre bonne demoi- sides, your daughter came to 

selle m'a procure des secours si my assistance so immediately, 

prompts, que je m'en suis en- that I got off cheap, 
core tiree a tres bon marche. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je vous croyais morte, lors- I thought you were dead, 

que je me suis approchee de when I went up to you. 
vous. 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Helas ! mademoiselle, si mon Alas ! miss, if my poor boy 

pauvre enfant n'avait plus be- did not require me, death would 

soin de moi, la mort serait la be welcome indeed, 
bien venue, je vous assure. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Que fait votre fils? Quel What trade does your son 

age a-t-il ? follow ? How old is he ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



149 



Marguerite. Margaret. 

H a vingt ans. II est artiste, He is twenty, and an artist, 

malheureusement pour lui et unfortunately for himself and 

pour moi. for me. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Mais, vous n'avez pas tou- But you have not always 

jours ete dans cette triste posi- been in such melancholy cir- 

tion ? cumstances ? 



Marguerite. 

Oh! non, madame. Je me 
suis mariee tres jeune ; mon 
mari etait peintre. Nos pre- 
mieres annees en menage fu- 
rent heureuses. ISTous nous ai- 
mions; une modeste aisance, 
que nous procurait le talent de 
mon mari, mettait le comble a 
mon bonheur. Un enfant, mon 
Albert, nous fut accorde, et je 
crus alors, que rien au monde 
ne pourrait troubler le doux 
bien-etre dont nous jouissions. 
II en fut bien autrement; au 
bout de cinq ans, mon mari 
mourut subitement et avec lui 
j'ensevelis toutes mes joies. Je 
vins a Paris dans Tespoir de 
trouver une place qui me pro- 
curerait les moyens de faire vi- 
vre mon enfant. Je combattis 
la misere pendant trois ans. 
Enfin, par I'entremise d'un ami 



Margaret. 

Oh ! no, ma'am. I married 
very young; my husband was 
a painter. The first years of 
our married life were happy 
ones. We loved each other; 
and the moderate means which 
my husband's talent afforded 
us, were sufficient for our wel- 
fare. A child, my Albert, was 
granted to us, and then I 
thought that nothing in the 
world could disturb our happi- 
ness. It was otherwise ordain- 
ed ; my husband died suddenly, 
after we had been married five 
years, and with him I buried 
all my joy. I came to Paris, 
hoping to find employment 
which would aiford me the 
means of supporting my child. 
I struggled three years with pov- 
erty. At last, through the 
protection of a friend of my 



150 COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 

de mon mari, j'entrai comme husband, I found a situation as 
femme de charge dans une des housekeeper, in one of the good 
bonnes maisons de Paris. Mais families of Paris. But there, 
la aussi, j'eus a souffrir le ca- too, I had to contend with ca- 
price, le dedain, I'injustice. Je price, disdain, and injustice. I 
n'avais jamais ete en service, had never been to service, alas ! 
mon Dieu ! mais 1' amour d'une but maternal affection is super- 
mere a une force surnaturelle. naturally strong. The hope 
L'espoir de voir mon fils heu- of seeing my son happy, enter- 
reux, entrant dans une honora- ing an honorable career, kept 
ble carriere, me soutenait. Pen- up my spirits. During ten years 
dant dix ans j'endurai tout. I bore all with patience. Al- 
Albert avait ete a I'ecole ; il bert had been to school; he 
avait des dispositions rares ; was remarkably intelligent, but 
mais sa sante etait delicate. II his health was delicate. He 
etait devore du desir d'avancer, was full of ambition, and his 
et les progres qu'il fit, surtout improvement, particularly in 
dans le dessin,iurent etonnants. drawing, was wonderful. I 
J'aurais prefere tout autre etat should have preferred his being 
a celui d' artiste ; mais le pauvre any thing but an artist. The 
enfant avait herite du talent de poor child had inherited his fa- 
son pere ; il ne revait que ta- ther's talent, and he dreamt of 
bleaux — peinture. Je perdis nothing but painting. I lost my 
ma place, par un caprice de ma situation through the caprice 
maitresse ; qui, malgre mes ser- of my mistress ; who, notwith- 
vices, n'a jamais voulu me don- standing my long services, nev- 
ner le moindre secours. Que er would give me the slightest 
Dieu le lui pardonne comme je assistance. May the Lord for- 
le fais moi-meme 1 give her as I do.! 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

II est rare qu'on soit aussi One seldom meets with so 

injuste, aussi dur. {^On frappe much injustice and harshness. 

a la porte,) (^A knock is heard at the door,) 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 151 

Marie. Marie. 

Je vais ouvrir, mamau. Oh ! I will open tlie door, mamma, 

docteur. George, vous ici ? All ! doctor, George, you here ? 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Ma visite est officielle, belle Mine is an official visit, fair 

demoiselle. Quant a ce jeune lady. As for this young man, 

homme, je Fai rencontre sur I met him as I was coming up. 
I'escalier, 

George. George. 

J'ai regu, ce matin, un billet I received a note from Mrs. 

de Madame Dorimont, dans Dorimont this morning, in 

iequel elle me dit, qu'ayant which she says, that having 

appris qu'une pauvre femme heard that a poor wounded 

blessee, avait ete reconduite woman had been taken home 

hier dans sa voiture, elle me in her carnage yesterday, she 

prie en grace de m'informer begs of me to call and inquire 

d'elle. Elle est si bonne ! si ex- about her. She is so kind ! so 

cellente ! Je me suis rendu a good ! I little expected to 

son desir ; ne m'attendant guere meet you here, ladies. 
a vous rencontrer, mesdames. 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Eh bien ! Madame Florere, Well, Mrs. Florere, how do 

comment va la sante aujour- you feel to-day ? 
d'hui? 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Mais mieux, monsieur, grace Better, sir, thanks to your 

a vos bons soins. kind care. 

Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Nous vous avons interrompu Our coming in, interrupted 



152 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



en entrant; vous parliez sans your conversation. I suppose 
doute a ces dames de votre you were telling these ladies 

about your son. 

Margaret. 
Yes, sir. But they have not 
yet heard the saddest part of 
my story. About six months 
ago, my poor boy came to me 
with a joyful face : — ^' Mother," 
said he, " I have had a vision. 
I am going to paint a picture 
for the Exhibition ; it will be 
beautiful, you will see. At 
all events, we will not starve 
this winter." The poor child 
set to work with terrific ardor, 
he grew thinner and thinner ! 
and the expression of his eyes 
became so wild, that I was 
alarmed. At last, one day, 
about a month ago, he said to 
me : — " Come, mother, come ; 
my picture is finished." I fol- 
lowed him to his modest studio. 
And, really, I was struck with 
admiration, when I saw the sub- 
lime work. I exclaimed : — 
" Oh ! how beautiful it is ! ISTo, 
Albert, no; you did not 
paint that." " I did not paint 
it ? — I did not ?" he exclaim- 
ed. Then, becoming sudden- 
ly calm, he added : — " No — 



fils. 

Marguerite. 

Oui, monsieur. Mais je nV 
vais^as encore raconte a ma- 
dame le plus affi'eux de mon 
histoire. II y a six mois, mon 
pauvre enfant vint me dire tout 
joyeux : — " Mere, j'ai eu une 
vision. Je veux peindre un 
tableau pour le Salon!- — tu 
verras, ce sera superbe, et au 
moins, nous ne mourrons pas 
de misere cet hiver." Le pau- 
vre enfant se mit a I'ouvrage, 
avec une ardeur efirayante; il 
maigrissait a vue d'oeil, ses 
yeux devenaient hagards, tel- 
lement, que j'en fus efFrayee. 
Enfin, un jour, il y a un mois, 
il me dit : — "Viens, mere, 
viens; mon tableau est ache- 
ve." Je le suivis, je montai 
a son modeste atelier ; et vrai- 
ment, je fus frappee d'admira- 
ration, en contemplant cette 
oeuvre divine. Je m'ecriai : — 
" Mon Dieu ! que c'est beau ! 
Non, Albert, non ; ce n'est pas 
toi qui a peint cela." "Pas 
moi ?" s'ecria-t-il, " pas moi ?" 
Puis, se calmant tout d'un coup, 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



153 



il ajouta : — " Non, ce n'est it was not I — the angel did 
pas moi — c'est I'ange ! — Fan- it — yes, the angel!" And 
ge lui'ineme ! " Et saisis- hastily taking a pencil, he wrote 
sant son pinceau, il traca le the word Raphael on the pic- 
mot Raphael sur le bord du ta- ture. 
bleau. 



Marie [faisant un cri), 
C'est I'Ange Gardien ! 

Mme. Darville et George. 
L'Ange Gardien! 



Marie (starting). 
It is the Guardian Angel ! 

Mrs. Darville and George. 
The Guardian Angel ! 



Marguerite. Margaret. 

Helas ! oui ; et mon pauvre Alas ! it is ; and my poor 

boy is deranged ! 



enfant est fou ! 

Mme. Darville. 
Fou ! Mon Dieu I 

Le Docteur Taurin. 

Calmez-vous, pauvre femme ! 
J'ai vu votre fils hier ; je ne le 
crois pas si malade. Quelques 
mois de repos et de bien-etre, 
lui rendi^aient la sante et la 
raison. 



Mrs. Darville. 
Deranged ! Lord ! 

Doctor Taurin. 

Take courage, my good wo- 
man ! I saw your son yester- 
day ; and do not think him so 
ill. A few months of rest and 
comfort would restore him, 
physically and morally. 



Margaret. 
God grant, it may be so ! 



Marguerite. 

Que Dieu vous entende ! 
Mais ce calme, ce repos, com- But, how is he to enjoy that 
ment les lui procurer ? S'il rest, those comforts ? If he had 
avait consenti a mettre son nom consented to put his name to 
sur son tableau, il aurait pu le his painting, he might have 

1* 



164 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PARIS. 



vendre ; car il est beau ; n'est- sold it ; for it is beautiful ; is it 
ce pas, madam e ? not, ma'am ? 



Mme. Darville. 
Admirable. {Onfrappe) 

Marguerite. 

C'est lui sans doute. Soyez 
sans crainte, mesdames; il est 
tout-a-fait inoffensif (Le Doc- 
TEUR Taurin ouvre la porte, 
Albert Florere entre^ et sans 
regarder ceux qui Ventourent^ 
il s'asseoit pres de la table ^ 
et cache la figure dans ses 
mains) 



Mrs. Darville. 

It is indeed. {A knock is 
heard at the door.) 

Margaret. 

There he is, I suppose. Do 
not be frightened, ladies ; he is 
perfectly harmless. (Doctor 
Taurin opens the door, Albert 
Florere walks in^ and without 
noticing those around, hhn^ sits 
dovjn near the table^ and buries 
his face in his hands,) 



Marguerite. Margaret. 

Albert, mon fils. Tu ne Albert, my son. ' Don't 

vois pas ces bonnes dames, you see these kind ladies, this 

ce bon Monsieur Taurin, qui good doctor, who have come 

sont venus nous porter des se- to bring us relief in our trou- 

cours ? ble ? 

Albert (releve doucement la Albert (looks up gradually), 
tHe), 

Ah ! oui ; pardon. {II aper- Ah ! yes ; excuse me. (He 

goit Marie et fait un cri,) sees Marie, and starts.) Heav- 

Ciel ! C'est lui ! — la, la ! ens ! It is he — there, there ! 

Marie (saisissant le bras de Marie (grasping George's 

George). a7'm). 

George — ^j'ai peur! George — I am afraid! 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



155 



Albert (^7 parle tres douce- 
men% se passant de temps en 
temps la main sur le front, 
comme pour rappeler ses sou- 
venirs). 

Oh ! je m'en souviens bien, 
je ne I'oublierai jamais. C'e- 
tait par une sombre et triste 
nuit. Je venais d'acbever une 
lourde jom*nee de travail. Ha- 
rasse, epuise, je me jetai tout 
babille sur mon lit. Un calme 
profond succeda a la nevre qui 
me devorait — je m'endormis. 
Tout-a-coup, un flot de lumiere 
inonda mon pauvre reduit, qui 
en un instant, parut transforme 
en un lieu de delices. Et la — 
la — debout pres de moi, je 
vis un ange aux blancs vete- 
ments, aux ailes deplojees. 
Ses doux yeux bleus, ses noirs 
cheveux, encadrant ce front si 
pur; le sourire d'amom^, qui 
errait sur ses levres roses ; 
tout en lui, me ravit en extase. 
Je me crus au ciel. ^'Ami," 
dit le divin messager ; " je suis 
Fenvoye de Dieu ; je t'apporte 
de sa part des paroles de con- 
solation, n a vu tes soufFran- 
ces, tes combats. L'heure de 
la delivrance a sonne ; le cbe- 



Albert (^he speaks very slow- 
ly, now and then passing his 
hand over his brow, as though 
to collect his thoughts). 

Oh ! I remember it well, I 
never shall forget it. It was 
during a dark and gloomy 
night. I had just spent a day 
of toil. Worn out, exhausted, 
I threw myself on my bed. To 
the burning excitement which 
consumed me, succeeded a 
soothing quietude — I slept. 
Suddenly, a flood of light 
filled my wretched home, 
which was transformed into a 
brilhant abode. And there — 
there — near me, stood an an- 
gel with white garments and 
outspread wings. His soft blue 
eyes, his dark hair, encir- 
cling his fair brow ; the sweet 
smile of love, which hovered 
around his lips ; all, all about 
him filled me with dehght. 
I fancied myself in heaven. 
" Friend," said the divine mes- 
senger; "I come from above, 
the bearer of words of comfort 
to thee. God has witnessed 
thy sufierings, thy struggle. 
Deliverance is at hand; the 



156 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

min de la gloire est ouvert de- path of glory is opened to 
vant toi ; je guiderai tes pas ; thee ; I will guide thy steps ; 
mes conseils te suivront par- my counsel will ever be with 
tout. Espere, enfant du mal- thee. Hope, child of misfor- 
heur, espere." Et I'espoir, en tune, hope." And hope seemed 
effet, entrait en mon ame. to enter my heart. The angel 
L'ange passa sa douce main sur gently touched my burning 
mon front ; puis, il me dit r brow, and said : " Farewell, I 
" Adieu, je reviendrai." La vi- will come again." The dream 
sion s'evanouit ; le divin conso- had vanished ; the divine mes- 
lateur avait disparu ; mais ses senger of joy had gone ; but 
paroles de bonheur vibraient his words of love still echoed 
encore a mon oreille. Je in my heart. I trusted in 
crus en lui. Le lendemain, je him ; and immediately set to 
me mis a I'ouvrage, attendant work, daily expecting the visit 
toujours la visite de Tange. Je of the angel. I traced his 
retracais ses traits, tels que je features, as I remembered see- 
ks avals vus pendant cette nuit ing him on that solemn night, 
supreme. Mais helas ! il ne But, alas ! he came no more, 
vint plus ; et le desespoir, la Despair and misery again 
misere, s'emparerent de tout rushed upon me ; it was a 
mon etre. C'etait un feu raging fire, which destroyed 
devorant qui me consumait. my being. When the painting 
Quand mon oeuvre fut achevee, was finished, I thought death 
je crus que la mort viendrait would release me from my ago- 
bientot, me delivrer de mes ny; but what would become 
souffrances ; mais que devien- of my mother ! my poor moth- 
drait ma mere ?— Non, ce n'est er ! — No, it was not my work, 
pas moi qui ai peint ce ta- it was the angel's ; and were 
bleau, c'est I'ange ; et si j'y I to put my name to it, I would 
mettais mon nom, ce serait de- rob heaven of its glory ! (Al- 
rober au ciel sa gloire ! (Al- bert appears exhausted,) 
BERT parait accahle.) 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN m PARIS. 



157 



Mme. Darville (les larmes aux 
yeux). 
Ma bonne Marguerite, I'ange 
avait raison. L'heure de la 
delivrance a enfin sonne pour 
Yous ; et je crois etre Tenvoye de 
la Providence dans cette cir- 
Constance. Docteur, croyez- 
vous que dans quelque temps, 
votre malade soit en etat de 
faire un petit voyage ? 



Mrs. Darville {with emotion). 

The angel was right, Mar- 
garet, your troubles are over. 
-God has, I think, selected me 
as his agent in this holy mis- 
sion. Doctor, do you think your 
patient would be well enough 
to bear a little trip in a few 
days? 



Le Docteur Taurin. Doctor Taurin. 

Certainement, madame ; a- Certainly, ma'am ; before a 

rant huit jours, et cela lui ferait week is over, and it will be of 

un bien extreme. the greatest benefit to her. 



Mme. Darville. 

Eh bien ! Marguerite et son 
fils iront passer trois mois, 
six mois s'ils le veulent, a Vo- 
gerolles. Je me charge entie- 
rement d'eux. Et pendant I'ab- 
sence de ce jeune homme, 
nous disposerons de son ta- 
bleau qui doit avoir une grande 
valeur. 



Mrs. Darville. 

Well ! Margaret and her son 
must go to Yogerolles for three, 
or six months if it suits them. 
I will provide for them. In 
their absence, we will sell this 
young man's painting ; it must 
be very valuable. 



Marguerite. Margaret. 

Oh ! madame, comment vous Oh ! ma'am, how can I ever 

remercier ; ma vie entiere vous thank you ; my whole life shall 

sera devouee. Albert — mon be devoted to you. Albert — 

fils — entends-tu ? le calme, le my son — do you hear ? rest 



158 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PAKIS. 



bonheur, nous sont ofFerts. and happiness are offered to us. 

{Le jeune homme semhle ne rien [The young man does not seem 

entendre, Mme. Darville j^arle to hear any thing, Mrs. Dar- 

has a Marie, qui ^avance timi- ville whispers to Marie, who 

dement vers Albert.) goes up to Albert with hesita- 
tion,) 

Marie. Marie. 

Ami — c'est-moi — lemessager Friend — it is I — the mes- 

du divin consolateur. Kefuserez- senger of our Divine Comforter, 

vous les secours qu'il vous Will you not accept the relief 



offre par ma voix ? 



of which I am th© bearer ? 



Albert (il la regarde ; puis se Albert {loohs up^ and falling 

jette a genoux en joignant les on his Jcnees^ with clasped 

mains), hands ^ he exclaims), 

Oui ! oui ! je crois. Oh ! Yes ! yes ! I do believe in 



merci, merci 



you. Oh ! thank you ! 



Mme. Darville. 

Mes amis, nous aliens vous 
quitter. Soignez-vous bien, Mar- 
guerite ; dans quelques jours, je 
reviendrai vous donner mes in- 
structions, relativement a votre 
voyage. {Elle lui remet une 
bourse?) En attendant, voila de 
quoi subvenir a tons vos be- 
soins. Adieu, Monsieur Albert, 
au revoir. 



Mrs. Darville. 

We will leave you now. 
Margaret, take great care of 
yourself. I will return in a few 
days, to make the arrangements 
about your leaving. [She gives 
her a purse.) ' Meanwhile, this 
will provide you with all you 
may require. Farewell, Mr. Al- 
bert ; we will see you soon 
again. 



Albert {tristement a Marie). Albert {sadly to Marie). 

Vous reviendrez bien sur ? Will you be sure to return ? 
vous ne me tromperez plus ? you will not deceive me ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



159 



Marie. 

Bieu sur ; dans quelques 
jours. Adieu. (Mme. Dar- 
\iLLE et sa fille sortent^ avec le 
DocTEUR Taurin et George.) 



Marie. 

Oh ! no ; I will be back in 
a few days. Farewell. (Mme. 
Darville and her daughter 
leave the room, with Doctor 
Taurin and George.) 



CHAPITRE XVII. ' CHAPTER XVII. 

La Fete du General Borimont General Dorimont^s Saints-day, 

Un Appartement au Second^ Rue An Apartment on the Second 

Caumartin. Floor, Rice Caumartin. 



M. et Mme. Dorimont. — M. et Mme. 
Beaufort. — Coralie. — Berthe. — 
Edmond. — Mme. Darville. — Ma- 
rie.— Charles.— Le General Ber- 
TRAND. — George. — Plusieurs jeu- 
nes gens et jeunes JiUes, amis des 
jeunes Beaufort. 



Mr. and Mrs. Dorimont. — Mr. a7id 
Mrs. Beaufort, — Coralie. — Ber- 
tha. — Edmund. — Mrs. Darville. 
— Marie. — Charles. — General 
Bertrand. — George. — Several 

' young girls and young men, 
friends of the young Beauforts, 



( Un grand salon meuhle avec {A large parlor., furnished with 
comfort.^ mais sg/ns luxe, Au comfort.^ hut no elegance. In 



milieu., une table couverte de 
bouquets et de pots de fleurs, 
Les jeunes gensjouent a colin- 
maillard,) 



the middle, stands a table, 
covered with bouquets and 
pots of flowers. The young 
people are playing blind- 
man^s buff,) 



Coralie (a Mme. Dorimont). Coralie {to Mrs. Dorimont). 
N'est-ce pas, bonne maman, Is it not true, grandma', that 



160 



COMMENT ON PARLE 1 PARIS. 



que tu nous permets de tout you will allow us to toss up 
renverser ce soir, pour celebrer every thing to-night, to cele- 
la fete de grandpapa ? brate grandpa's feast-day ? 



M. DORIMONT. 

Oui, oui, mon enfant, deran- 
gez, renversez tout,.pourvu que 
vous vous amusiez ; c'est un vrai 
bonheur pour moi de vous voir 
contents. {Au General ei a 
George qui entrent) Bonsoir, 
mes amis. General, je crains de 
vous avoir rendu un mauvais ser- 
vice, en vous engageant a passer 
la soiree avec cette bande joy- 
euse ; mais j'ai lafaiblesse de vou- 
loir m'entourer de ceux que j'af- 
fectionne, le jour de ma fete. 
Vous connaissez ma fille? M. 
Beaufort mon gendre ? mes trois 
petits-enfants, Coralie, Berthe, 
Edmond ? 



Mr. Dorimont. 

Yes, yes, darling ; upset every 
thing, provided you enjoy your- 
selves ; my greatest pleasure is to 
see you happy. {To General 
Bertrand and George, who en- 
ter,) Good evening, gentlemen. 
I am afraid I paid you a poor 
compliment, in inviting you 
to spend the evening with this 
merry tribe ; but my weakness 
is to have those I love around 
me on my feast-day. You know 
my daughter? Mr. Beaufort, 
my son-in-law? these are my 
grand-children, Coralie, Bertha, 
Edmund. 



Berthe {les yeux bandes, sai- 
sissant le bras de George), 

Ah ! je tiens quelqu'un ; voy- 
ons, c'est, c'est. {On riU) On 
triche. {Elle arrache le mou- 
choir qui lui couvre les yeux^j 
Ah ! monsieur, je vous demande 
pardon; je ne vous avais pas 
entendu entrer. 



Bertha {her eyes are covered 
with a handkerchiefs she 
catches George by the arm)» 

Oh! I have caught some 
one ; wait, it is, it is ! (All laugh.) 
You are cheating. (She pulls off 
the handkerchief.) Oh ! excuse 
me, sir, I had not heard you 
come in. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 



161 



George. George. 

Comment, mademoiselle ; je I am most happy to reneiv 

suis trop liem*eux de renouveler my acquaintance with you, in 

connaissance avec vous d'une so friendly a manner, 
maniere si amicale. 



Le General Bertr.vxd (a 
Mme. Dorimont). 

C'est un \Tai bonheur pour 
moi, madame, de me trouver 
avec vous tout-a-fait en famille. 
Yous avez ete si bonne pour 
mon neveu, pendant qu'il fai- 
sait ses etudes ici. II m'a bien 
souvent parle de vous, de ma- 
dame votre fiUe et*de vos petits- 
enfants. 

Mme. Beaufort. 

Oh! nous aimions beaucoup 
Monsieur George ; il etait I'ami 
de la maison. II a souvent fait 
de bonnes parties avec mes en- 
fants. 

George. 

J'en ai conserve un bien doux 
souvenir, madame. {A M. Beau- 
fort.) Vous rappelez-vous no- 
tre soiree de Noel il y a cinq 
ans? 

M. Beaufort (riant), 
Je crois bien; j'etais pres- 



General Bertrand [to Mrs. 
Dorimont). 

It gives me great pleasure, 
dear madam, to spend a socia- 
ble evening with you and your 
familv. You were so kind to 
my nephew, while he was here 
studying law. He has often 
mentioned you and your daugh- 
ter and grand-children to me. 

Mrs. Beaufort. 

Oh ! we were all very fond 
of Mr. George ; he was a 
general favorite. He and the 
children had many a merry 
hour together. 

George. 

I remember them with great 
pleasure, I assure you. ( To Mr. 
Beaufort.) Do you recollect 
our Christmas night five years 
ago? 

Mr. Beaufort (laughing). 
Of course I do ; I was al- 



162 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



qu'aussi fou que vous tous. C'e- 
tait le bon temps, George. 
Aujourd'hui, ces demoiselles ont 
des idees de bals, de toilette ; 
ce qui est beaucoup moins amu- 
sant et plus dispendieux. 

Le Ge nigral Bertrand. 

Je croyais rencontrer Mme. 
Darville ici ce soir ; elle se fai- 
sait une fete de passer quelques 
lieures avec vous. 

Mme. Do rim ont. 

Oui, j'attends ces dames ; 
mais vous savez qu'elles sont 
habituees aux lieures des bals 
et grandes soirees. Cependant, 
il est presque neuf heures. 
Chut ! chut ! mes enfants, on 
s'entend a peine. {A Mme. Dar- 
ville.) Ah ! vous voila enfin, 
ma chere Madame Darville ; je 
craignais que vous ne fussiez 
malade. Bonsoir, mademoiselle. 
Monsieur Charles, comment vous 
portez-vous ? 

Mme. Darville. 

Demandez a ces deux errands 
enfants, s'il n'y a pas une heure 
que je les attends. Marie pre- 
tendait que vous etiez a peine 
sortis de table. (A Mme. Beau- 
fort.) Bonsoir, madame ; veuil- 



most as full of fun as you all 
were. Those were the good old 
days, George. Now, these girls 
talk of balls and fine dressing, 
which is much less amusing, and 
more expensive. 

General Bertrand. 

I thought I should have met 
Mrs. Darville here this evening ; 
she anticipated great pleasure 
in spending a few hours with you. 

Mrs. Dorimont. 

Yes, I expect those ladies ; 
but you know they are accus- 
tomed to late hours. However, 
it is almost nine o'clock. Chil- 
dren ! children ! one can scarce- 
ly be heard here. {To Mrs. Dar- 
ville.) Ah ! Mrs. Darville, here 
you are at last. I was afraid 
you might be ill. Good evening, 
Miss Marie. Mr. Charles, how 
are you ? 



Mrs. Darville. 

Ask these great children of 
mine if I have not been wait- 
ing a whole hour for them. 
Marie thought you were scarce- 
ly through with dinner. {To 
Mrs. Beaufort.) Good evening; 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN EST PARIS. 



163 



lez me presenter vos enfants, do introduce your children to 

dont Monsieur Dalbret nous a me. Mr. Dalbret lias told us so 

tant parle. much about them. 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. 

Avec plaisir, madame. Co- With pleasure. CoraHe, Ber- 

ralie, Berthe, Edmond, venez tha, Edmund, let me intro- 

que je vous presente a Mme. duce you to Mrs. Darville. 
Darville. 



CoRALiE {timidement), 
Bonsoir, madame. 

Berthe, 

Mademoiselle Darville se 
croit-elle trop vieille pour pren- 
di'e part a nos jeux ? 

Marie. 

Au contraire ; cela me fera 
grand plaisir. 



CoRALiE {loith timidity). 
Good evening, ma'am. 

Bertha. 

Does Miss Darville think her- 
self too old to play with us ? 

Marie. 

Certainly not ; I shall be de- 
lighted to do so. 



Edmond {saluant), Edmund {bowing), 

Je reclame le secours de I claim the assistance of Mr. 

Monsieur Darville contre les Darville against the attacks of 

incursions de ces demoiselles. these young ladies. 

Charles. Charles. 

Volontiers, mon ami ; mais Very willingly ; but I have 

il y a bien longtemps que je not had any sport of this kind 

n'ai joue aux jeux innocents. for a long time. 

Marie (a M. Dorimont, lui Marie {offering a hunch of roses 

offrant un bouquet de roses), to Mr. Dorimont). 

Avant de commencer a jouer, General, before we begin to 



164 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

permettez-moi, general, de vous play, allow me to offer you 

offrir ces fleurs, et mes voeux these Jlowers, with my sincere 

les plus sinceres pour votre wishes for your welfare, 
bonheur. 

M. DoRiMONT (Vemhrassant), Mr. Dorimont {kissing her), 

Merci, mon enfant, merci. Many thanks, my dear child. 

J'esperebienpouvoiravantlong- I hope before long to offer you 

temps, vous offrir aussi mes sou- my good wishes, on a certain 

halts, dans une grande occasion, grand occasion. 

Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! pas de longtemps. Oh ! not for a long time. 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. 

II me semble, mesdemoi- Young ladies, I think you 

selles, que vous pourriez choisir might select a less noisy game, 

un jeu moins bruyant ; cela It would be more agreeable to 

plairait davantage aux gens the reasonable ones of the 

raisonnables. party. 

Berthe. Bertha. 

Oh! maman, tu crois tou- Oh! mamma, you always 

jours qu'on peut s'amuser sans think we can have fun without 

faire du bruit. noise. 

Coralie. CorAlie. 

Jouons a la toilette de Ma- Let us play my lady's toilet ; 

dame ; on donnera des gages, and give forfeits. {They begin 

{lis commencent a jouer,) to play.) 

Edmond. Edmund. 

Ah ! Monsieur George, un Oh ! Mr. George, a forfeit, 

gage. La, la, vous trichez You are cheating over there, 
vous autres. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 165 

Une Jeune Fille. One of the Young Girls. 

Edmond, vous avez les yeux Edmund, your eyes are every- 
partout. where. 



Edmond. 



Edmund. 



C'est que je suis loyal, ma- I am very honest. Miss. 
demoiselle. 



Mme. Beaufort. 

C'est moi qui me chargerai 
des gages. 

M. DORIMONT. 

General, voulez-vous que nous 
fassions une partie de piquet, 
dans ce petit coin ? 

Le General Bertrand. 
Volontiers. 



Mrs. Beaufort. 

I will take charge of the for- 
feits. 

Mr. Dorimont, 

General, shall we play a game 
of piquet together, in this little 
corner ? 

General Bertrand. 
Certainly. 



Mme. Darville {a Mme. Dori- Mrs. Darville {to Mrs. Dori- 
mont). mont). 

Quelle jouissance pour vous What a comfort it is for you, 

madame, de vous voir entou- to have all your children around 

ree de vos enfants. you. 



Mme. Dorimont. 

G'est notre seul bonheur. 
Ma fille occupe I'appartement 
au-dessus de nous. Nous pas- 
sons toutes nos soirees ensem- 
ble ; ici, ou chez ma soeur. 
Ces deux jeunes filles en rose, 
sont mes nieces; je les reu- 



Mrs. Dorimont. 

It constitutes all our happi- 
ness. My daughter occupies 
the apartment above us. We 
spend all our evenings togeth- 
er ; either here, or at my sister's. 
Those two young girls dressed 
in pink, are my nieces. I have 



166 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



nis tous autour de moi, au- them all around me, as often as 

tant que possible. La vie, possible. Without these kin- 

sans ces liens de famille, me dred ties, hfe would be very 

paraitrait bien triste. dreary to me. 



Marie (riant aux eclats), 

Charles, Charles, ce n'est 
pas juste. 



Marie {laughing heartily). 

Charles, Charles, that is not 
fair. 



Charles. Charles. 

Par exemple, je m'en rap- Indeed. I appeal to Edmund, 
porte a Edmond. 

Edmond. Edmund, 

Monsieur Darville doit avoir Mr. Darville must be right, 

raison, c'est mon associe. he and I are partners. 



Mrs. Darville. 

I have not seen Marie so 
vu Marie si heureuse, si gaie. happy, so gay, for a long time. 



Mme. Darville. 
U y a longtemps que je n'ai 



Mme. Beaufort. 

Je vous assure, madame, que 
je retarderai autant que possi- 
ble, le moment de mener mes 
filles dans le monde ; elles sont 
tellement plus heureuses, dans 
fios petites reunions intimes. 

Mme. Dorimont. 



Mrs. Beaufort. 

I assure you, I will put off 
taking my daughters into com- 
pany, as long as possible. They 
are so much happier, in our 
little family meetings. 

Mrs. Dorimont. 



De mon temps, on etait bien In my time, people were 

plus sage qu'aujourd'hui. On wiser than they are now. We 

avait moins de luxe, plus de had less luxury, but more real 

vraie gaiete. Maintenant, c'est enjoyment. Now, we see noth- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



167 



a qui sera le mieux mis, a qui ing but persons vying with 
aura les plus beaux diamants. each other, who shall have the 
Quant au plaisir reel, on laisse finest dresses, the handsomest 
cette bourgeoise jouissance aux diamonds. As for pleasure, that 
petites gens. C'est absurde 1 common-place article is left to 

the lower classes. Too ridiculous ! 



Mme. Darville. 

Je suis bien de votre avis; 
aussi je soupire apres notre vie 
douce et calme de la campagne. 
Je serais bien heureuse que 
vous vinssiez nous y faire une 
visite. Quelle belle partie cette 
jeunesse y ferait ! 



Mrs. Darville. 

You are perfectly right, and 
I long to get back to our quiet 
home in the country. I should 
be very happy to receive a visit 
from you. What fine sport 
these young people would have 
there ! 



Mme. Beaufort. 

Ce serait une grande joie 
pour eux. Allons, mes enfants, 
j'ai beaucoup de gages dans 
cette corbeille. II me semble 
qu'il serait temps de les distri- 
buer. 

Berthe. 

Oui, oui ; je suis la plus 
jeune, c'est moi qui ordonnerai. 
{Elle se met a genoux et se ca- 
che la figure^ 



Mrs. Beaufort. 

They would be dehghted. 
Come, my children, I have a 
great many forfeits in this bas- 
ket. I think it is time to redeem 
them. 

Bertha. 

Yes ; I am the youngest, and 
will direct for the forfeits. (^She 
kneels and hides her face in her. 
hands.) 



Mme. Beaufort (montrant un Mrs. Beaufort {holding up one 

des gages) . of the forfei ts) . 

Qu'ordonnez-vous au gage What is the owner of this to 

touche ? do in order to redeem it ? 



168 (X)MMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

BerTHE. BERTHAe 

D'embrasser grand'maman. He must kiss grandma'. 

Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

Voila une terrible penitence ! That is a terrible penance ! 

Charles. Charles. 

Du tout, madame ; c'est a Not at all, dear madam ; it is 

moi. {Tl emhrasse la main de mine. {He kisses Mrs. Dori- 

Mme. Dorimont.) mont's hand,) 

Mme. Beaufort, Mrs. Beaufort. 

AUons, Berthe ; qu'ordonnez- Come, Bertha ; what must 

vous au gage touche ? be done to redeem this forfeit ? 

Berthe. Bertha. 

De faire trois reverences sans That person must courtesy 

lire. three times without laughing. 

Une Jeune Fille. One of the Young Girls. 

Ah ! c'est a moi. Jamais je Oh ! it is mine. I never shall 

ne pourrai le faire. (Mle com- be able to do it. {She begins 

mence et part d'^un grand eclat and bursts out laughing) 
de rire,) 

Edmond. Edmund. 

Ce n'est pas juste, Malcie ; That is not fair, Malcie ; I 

je vais vous donner une autre will give you another penance, 
penitence. 

La Jeune Fille. The Young Girl. 

Merci, monsieur le predica- Thank you, Mr. preacher, 
teur. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 169 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. 

Qu'ordonnez-vous au gage What shall the owner of this 

touche ? do to redeem it ? 

Berthe. Bertha. 

De se mettre a genoux de- He will kneel before Miss 

vant Mademoiselle Darville et Darville, and say: "Marie, I 

de lui dire : " Marie, je vous love you ;" without laughing, 
aime ;" sans rire. 

Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! je m' oppose a des peni- Oh! I won't agree to such 

tences de ce genre-la. penances as those. 

Berthe (d M. Dorimont). Bertha {to Mr. Dorimont). 

Grandpapa, quand on joue Grandpa', when one plays 

aux jeux innocents, ne doit-on at these games, must not one 

pas se soumettre a toutes les submit to all sorts of penances ? 
penitences ? 

M. Dorimont {riant). Mr. Dorimont {laughing). 

Sans doute, mon enfant ; Of course, darling ; it is a 

c'est une regie sans exceptions, rule which admits of no excep- 
tion. 

Berthe. Bertha. 

Vous voyez, Marie. Aliens^ There, Marie. Mother, let us 

maman, montre-nous le gage. see who the forfeit belongs to. 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. 

A qui ce gant paille ? Who claims this straw-color- 
ed glove ? 

George {hesitant), George {hesitating), 

A moi, madame. I do. 



170 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

Berthe. Bertha. 

Allons, monsieur George. Come, Mr. George. What, 

Comment, vous hesitez ? Ce you hesitate ? It is surely not 

n'est pas, cependant, tres diflS- a very hard task, 
cile a faire. 

Charles (riant), Charles (laughing). 

Ah ! monsieur I'avocat ; vous Oh ! Mr. lawyer ; you are 

voila pris. (Tout le monde rit.) caught this time. (They all 

laugh,) 

George (s^agenouillant devant George (Jcneeling hefore Marie, 

Marie, qui rougit.) who blushes.) 

Pardon, mademoiselle. Ma- Excuse me. Miss Marie. I — 

rie — je — vous — aime. love — you. 

Berthe. Bertha. 

II a dit : " Mademoiselle Ma- He said : " Miss Marie, I love 

rie, je vous aime." you." 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. • 

Aliens, Berthe, tu es trop Come, Bertha, you are too 

exigeante. Voyons ; qu'ordon- particular. What must be done 

nes-tu au gage touche ? to redeem this forfeit ? 

Berthe, Bertha. 

De faire la muette pendant To play the dumb-girl for 

cinq minutes. five minutes. 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. 

A qui ce mouchoir ? Who owns this handkerchief? 

Berthe. Bertha. 

Oh ! c'est a moi ; quel mal- Oh ! it is mine ; what a pity ! 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 171 

heur ! Grandpapa, n'y a-t-il pas Grandpa', is there not one sin- 

une seule exception a la regie gle exception to the rule you 

de tout-a-rheure ? spoke of just now ? 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

Oui, quand il y a impossibi- Yes, when the penance is 

lite complete. utterly impossible. 

Berthe (riant). Bertha (laughing). 

Alors c'est mon cas. ( On That is the case with me. 

continue a distrihuer les gages?) (They continue to distribute 

the forfeits^ 

Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

Allons, Coralie, il me semble Coralie, dear, I think you 

qu'il faudrait finir la soiree par should finish off with a cotil- 

une petite contredanse. lion. 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort, 

J'offre mes services. Malcie, I offer my services. Malcio, 

voulez-vous jouer la basse de will you play the bass to these 

ces quadrilles ? quadrilles ? 

La Jeune Fille. The Young Girl. 

Certainement, madame. (Mme. Certainly, ma'am. (Mrs. 

Beaufort se met an piano.) Beaufort sits down to the 

piano.) 

Charles (d Coralie). Charles (to Coralie). 

Aurai-je I'honneur de dan- Shall I have the honor of 

ser cette colftredanse avec dancing this cotillion with 

vous, mademoiselle ? you ? 

Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

Savez-vous, Madame Dar- Do you know, Mrs. Darville, 



172 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PAKIS. 



ville, que j'ai conserve une tliat I have a tender regard for 

tendre admiration pour le qua- quadrilles ; probably, because, 

drille ; c'est sans doute parce like myself, they are thrown 

qu'il est un peu comme moi, aside as antiquities, 
relegue parmi les vieilleries. 



Mme. Darville. 

Je n'admets pas votre rai- 
son ; mais je partage votre 
admiration. La Polka, la Ee- 
dowa, toutes les danses fantas- 
ques de notre epoque, sont 
presqu'entierement depourvues 
de grace et d' elegance. 



Mrs. Darville. 

I cannot admit that reason ; 
but I share your admiration. 
The Polka, the Redowa, and 
all the fanciful dances of the 
day, are almost entirely devoid 
of grace and elegance. 



Marie (a Edmond qui danse Marie [to Edmund, her part- 

avec elle). ner). 

Vous 6tes done en vacances. Have you hoHday now, sir ? 
monsieur ? 

Edmond. Edmund. 

Oui, mademoiselle ; grace Yes ; thanks to grandpa' be- 
aux soixante-cinq ans de grand- ing sixty-five, 
papa. - 



M. DORIMONT. 



Mr. Dorimont. 



Qu'est-ce que j'entends la. What are you talking about 



Edmond ? 



there, Edmund ? 



Edmond. Edmund. 

Je fais la cour a Mademoi- I am courting Miss Darville, 
selle Darville, grandpapa. grandpa'. 



FRENCH A5 SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



173 



M. DoRiMONT (riant). Mr. Dorimont {laughing), 

A mes depens, il me sem- At my expense, metliinks. 



ble. 



Mme. Beaufort (apris la contre- Mrs. Beaufort {after the cotil- 
danse), ^ lion), 

Vous jouerai-je une Polka ? Shall I play you a Polka ? 



Les Jeunes Gens. 
Oil ! oui, madame. 



The Young People. 
Oh ! yes, ma'am, do. 



Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

George, faites danser Marie. George, dance with Marie. 

Je voudrais avoir une idee de I would like to have a speci- 

la maniere dont les elegantes men of the present style of 

de Paris dansent aujourd'hui. dancing among the fashion- 
ables of Paris. 

Marie {souriant), Marie {smiling), 

Je suis bien incapable de les I can give you but a poor 

imiter, chere madame. {Elle imitation of them, dear madam. 

fait deux ou trois tours de {She waltzes two or three times 



Polka avec George.) 



around the room with George.) 



M. Dorimont {has au Gene- Mr. Dorimont {whispering to 
RAL Bertrand). General Bertrand). 

Comme elle est gentille ! What a sweet girl she is ! 



Le General Bertrand {has), 

C'est un ange de bonte, de 
douceur, de piete. Oh ! mon 
cher : j'aurais donne dix ans de 



General Bertrand {whisper- 
ing). 
She is an angel of good- 
ness, mildness, and piety. My 
dear fellow, I would give ten 



174 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



ma vie pour qu'elle devint la years of my life, could she be- 
femme de George. come the wife of my George. 



M. DORIMONT. 

Eh bien ! pourquoi pas ? 

Le General Bertrand. 

Helas ! c'est impossible. II y 
a ici un jeune homme tres haut 
place, ayant une grande for- 
tune, qui lui fait la cour ; c'est, 
je crois, a peu pres arrange. 

M. DORIMONT. 

Quel dommage ! 

Mme. Dorimont, 

Deja dix heures et demie! 
(A M. Beaufort.) Mon fils, 
veuillez voir pourquoi on n'ap- 
porte pas des rafraichissements 
a cette jeunesse. {A Mme. Dar- 
viLLE.) Notre salle a manger 
est si petite, que j'ai prefer e 
faire servir dans le salon ; vous 
voyez, chere madame, que no- 
tre reunion est bien sans cere- 
monie. 



Mr. Dorimont. 
Well ! why not f 

General Bertrand. 

Alas ! it is impossible. There 
is a young man here, of high 
rank and great wealth, who is 
very attentive to her. I think 
it is a matter about being set- 
tled. 

Mr. Dorimont, 
What a pity ! 

Mrs. Dorimont. 

Half-past ten already ! {To 
Mr. Beaufort.) Will you be 
kind enough to inquire why 
the refreshments for these young 
people have not been brought 
in. [To Mrs. Darville.) Our 
dining-room is so very small, 
that I preferred having supper 
in this parlor ; you see how un- 
ceremoniously I receive you. 



Mme. Darville. 

EUe n'en est que plus agre- 
able. 



Mrs. Darville. 

Your welcome is the more 
gratifying for being so sociable. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 175 

CORALIE. CORALIE, 

Maman, joue-nous encore une Motlier, play us anotlier Pol- 
Polka. [Les jeunes gens conti- ka. [The young 'people continue 
nuent a danser. Pendant ce to dance. Meanwhile the servant 
temps-la^ le domestique prepare prepares the supper-table.) 
le souper.) 

Berthe (yivemeni). Bertha (hastily). 

Oh ! les bonnes choses ! On Oh ! what nice things ! Grand- 
mange joliment bien chez bonne ma' always has plenty of goodies, 
maman. 

Edmond. Edmund* 

Je crois bien. Yes, indeed. 

Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

AUons, mes enfants, vous Come, children, you have 

avez pris assez d'exercice pour taken enough exercise to ap- 

apprecier quelques friandises. preciate a little supper. 

Mme. Beaufort. Mrs. Beaufort. 

Venez vous placer tous au- You can all sit around this 

tour de cette table ; nous en table ; we will set a smaller one 

mettrons une plus petite la-bas over there, for the reasonable 

pour les gens raisonnables. portion of the company. 

Edmoxd. Edmund. 

Monsieur Charles, vous n'ap- Mr. Charles, do you belong 

partenez pas a cette categoric- to that set ? 
la, n'est-ce pas ? 

Charles. Charles. 

Je n'en sais vraiment rien ; il I don't exactly know ; both 

me semble que les deux tables of- tables appear very attractive. 



376 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

frent beaucoup d'agrement. {A [To Mrs. Beaufort.) Allow 

Mme. Beaufort.) Permettez- me to serve this Charlotte 

moi de servir cette Charlotte Eusse. 
liusse, madame. 

M. Beaufort. Mr. Beaufort. 

Ne vous en donnez pas la Do not take that trouble; 

peine, monsieur ; je vais m'en I will serve it* 
charger. 

Bertjhe. Bertha. 

Je voudrais bien un pen de I would like some of that 

ces glaces, maman. ice-cream, mamma. 

M. DoRiMONT (a Mme. Dar- Mr. Dorimont (to Mrs. Dar- 
ville). ville.) 

Ne prendrez-vous pas quel- Will you not be helped to 

que chose, madame ? something ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Merci ; quand on dine a six Thank you ; when one dines 
heures et demie, il est pres- at half-past six, it is almost im- 
qu'impossible de souper; sur- possible to take supper; par- 
tout, lorsqu'on ne prend pas ticularly, taking no exercise, 
d'exercice. 

Marie. Marie. 

Eh bien! moi j'ai retrouve Well, I have recovered my 

mon appetit de la campagne. country appetite. I shall long 

Je me souviendrai longtemps remember this agreeable even- 

de cette bonne soiree. Quelle ing. How different these fam- 

difference entre ces reunions de ily meetings are, from the 

famille et les extravagantes fe- extravagant fetes of the gay 

tes du grand monde ! world. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 177 

Charles. Charles. 

Les unes vous rajeunissent ; The former make you feel 

et les autres vous vieillissent. younger ; the latter, older. 

Le Domestique. The Servant. 

La voiture de Mme. Dar- Mrs. Darville's carriage, 
ville. 

Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

Deja, chere madam e ? You leave us already ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

II est onze heures, et je sais It is eleven o'clock, and I 

que vous ne veillez jamais tres know you always retire early, 
tard. 

Mme. Dorimont. Mrs. Dorimont. 

J'espere bien que nous aurons I hope we shall have the 

le plaisir de vous revoir, avant pleasure of seeing you again, 

votre depart pour la cam- before you leave for the coun- 

pagne. try. 

Charles {aa Gi^n^ral Ber- Charles {to General Ber- 

trand). trand). 

General, voulez-vous recon- General, will you ride home 

duire ces dames dans la voiture ? with these ladies ? George and 

je m'en irai a pied avec George. I will walk. 

Marie (emhrassant Coralie et Marie [kissing Coralie and 

Berths). Bertha). 

Adieu, mesdemoiselles. N'ou- Farewell, young ladies, re- 

bliez pas que vous devez nous member you are to make us a 

faire une visite a VogeroUes, visit at Yogerolles, this spring, 
au printemps. 

8* 



178 



Berthe. 

Oh ! nous ne I'oublierons 
pas ; soyez tranquille. 

Edmond. 

Suis-je compris dans I'invita- 
tion ? 

Charles. 

Sans doute, mon honorable 
associe. Nous irons k la chasse 
ensemble ; nous ferons des par- 
ties a cheval, et nous taquine- 
rons les dames : cela vous con- 
vient-il ? 

Edmond. 
Je crois bien. Adieu. 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

Bertha. 



Oh ! we will not forget it ; 
don't fear. 

Edmund, 

Am I included in the invita- 
tion? 

Charles. 

Of course, my honorable 
partner. We will hunt togeth- 
er, take long rides, and tease 
the ladies : will that suit you ? 



Edmund. 
Indeed, it will. Good-by. 



M. DoRiMONT (reconduisant Mr. Dorimont (escorting Mrs. 
Mme. Darville). Darville to her carriage). 

Je suis si reconnaissant, ma- I feel so gratified, that you 

dame, de ce que vous ayez bien should have devoted this even- 

voulu nous consacrer cette soi- ing to us, when so many claim 

ree, lorsque tant de monde vous you. 
reclame. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

La bonne amitie a toujours Friendship's claims have al- 

eu pour moi les premiers droits, ways been the first in my esti- 

Bonsoir, general, a bientot. mation. Farewell, general, I 

hope to see you soon again. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 179 



CHAPITRE XVIIL CHAPTER XVIH, 

L^ Hotel de Hollunde, The Hotel cfe Hollande. 



Mme. Darville. — Marie. — George. Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — George. 
— Charles. — Charles. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Eh bien ! mon enfant, il pa- Well, Marie, it appears Laura 

rait que Laure se marie positi- is to be married positively in a 

vement dans liuit jours. week. 

Marie, Marie, 

Oui, maman ; il est temps de Yes, mamma ; it is time to 

nous occuper de nos toilettes, attend to our dresses. I suppose 

Je pense qu'il y aura beaucoup there will be a great deal of 

de monde a la signature du company for the reading of the 

contrat. marriage contract, 

Mme. Darville, " Mrs. Darville. 

Probablement. Tu sais que Very likely. You know your 

ta tante aime Tapparat. Pauvre aunt is fond of display. Poor 

soeur ! souvent je la plains ; car sister! I often pity her ; notwith- 

son existence, malgre ses nom- standing her numerous social 

breux devoirs de societe, est duties, her life is a very un- 

bien vide. satisfactory one. 

Charles (entrant), Charles {entering the room), 

Je viens vous consulter sur I have come to consult you 



180 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



deux choses tres importantes. about two important matters. 
D'abord, voici un recalcitrant First and foremost, here is a 
que je vous denonce. rebel whom I denounce to you. 



BoNCHAMP (annoncant). 
Monsieur Dalbret. 

Mme. Darville (riant). 

Yous, George ? Je vous croy- 
ais le plus devoue des amis. 

GIeorge. 

Vous aviez raison, madame ; 
mais ce que Charles me de- 
mande, ne pent nullement obli- 
ger mes amis, et me serait, 
pour le moins, desagreable. 

Charles. 

Tais-toi, mon cher. Je de- 
mande la parole. Figurez-vous 
que ma tante de Parnes, qui 
vraiment a beaucoup de bon, 
a ecrit un amour de petit billet 
au General Bertrand ; I'invitant, 
lui, et cet avocat que voi- 
ci, pour la signature du con- 
trat de mariage de Laure. Eh 
bien! ce monsieur veut faire 
le malade, tandis que son oncle, 
qui sait vivre, s'empressera de 
se rendre a I'invitation de ma 
noble tante. Trouvez-vous cela 
aimable ? 



BoNCHAMp (announcing). 
Mr. Dalbret. 

Mrs. Darville (laughing). 

You, George ? I thought you 
a most devoted friend. 

George. 

You were right ; but what 
Charles requires of me, cannot 
in any way benefit my friends, 
and would be, to say the least, 
disagreeable to me. 

Charles. 

Hush, my dear fellow. I 
want to explain matters my- 
self. You must know that my 
aunt de Parnes, who really has 
some good traits in her charac- 
ter, wrote a sweet little note to 
General Bertrand, inviting him 
and this lawyer to be present 
at the reading of Laura's mar- 
riage contract. Well ! this gen- 
tleman wishes to plead illness 
and get off, while his uncle, 
who has better manners, will 
accept my aunt's invitation. 
Do you call that amiable ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



181 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Non ; et quand George aura No ; and when George re- 

reflechi, que ce serait me faire fleets, that by refusing to go to 

de la peine, que de refuser d'al- this reception, he would hurt 

ler a cette soiree, il se retrac- my feelings, I know he will 

tera ; n'est-ce pas, Marie ? change his mind. Don't you 

think so, Marie ? 

Marie. Marie, 

Cependant, maman, si cela However, mamma, if it is 

est vraiment desagreable a really disagreeable to George 

George, je trouve qu'il est in- to go, I don't think we ought 

discret si nous d'insister. to urge it. 



Charles. 
Tu n'as pas le sens commun, 



marquise 



Marie. 

George sait bien qu'il nous 
ferait plaisir. Alors, il doit 
avoir une raison que nous igno- 
rons. 

Mme. Darville. 

Allons, il ira ; c'est arrange, 
n'est-ce pas ? 

George. 

Vous savez, madame, que vos 
desirs sont des ordres pour moi. 

Charles. 
Oh 1 les femmes ! les femmes I 



Charles. 
Nonsense, marchioness ! 

Marie. 

George knows he would grat- 
ify us by going. He must, there* 
fore, have some reason which 
we are unacquainted with. 

Mrs. Darville. 

He will go ; it is all settled, 
is it not ? 

George. 

You know your wishes are 
orders for me, dear madam. 

Charles. 
Oh ! women ! women ! How 



182 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PARIS. 



Quel pouvoir elles possedent ! great their influence ! One sin- 

Un seul regard fait plus d'eflfet gle look will accomplish more 

que toute notre eloquence. A than all our eloquence. Now, 

present, passons a ma seconde let us discuss my other busi- 

afFaire. Que dois-je donner a ness. What shall I give Laura ? 
Laure ? 



Mme. Darville. 

Un bijou. Tiens ; une garni- 
ture de boutons en turquoises 
et diamants. J'en ai vu hier de 
tres belles, chez Bassot. Vas-y 
avec George ; je sors avec Ma- 
rie a I'instant ; je n'ai que mon 
chapeau a mettre. Viens, Ma- 
rie, ces messieurs descendront 
avec nous. [Elles sortent.) 



Mrs. Darville. 

A jewel ; a set of turquoise 
and diamond buttons. I saw 
some beautiful ones yesterday, 
at Basset's. Stop there with 
George. I am going but with 
Marie in a few minutes.. I have 
only my bonnet to put on. 
Come, Marie, these gentlemen 
will go down with us. {They 
leave the sitting-room,) 



George. George. 

Charles, pourquoi as-tu in- Charles, why did you insist 

siste pour me faire aller a cette upon my going to this party, 

soiree, qui me mettra au deses- which will fill my heart with 

poir ; toi, mon meilleur ami ? despair ; you, my best friend ? 



Charles. 

Parce que j'ai mes raisons 
particulieres, a moi intimement 
connues. Je te les donnerai un 
de ces jours. Pourquoi ce cha- 
grin — ce decouragement, mon 
cher ami ? Tout n'est pas perdu. 
J'ai encore de I'espoir. 



Charles. 

Because I have particular 
reasons, unknown to any one 
else. I will mention them to 
you one of these days. Why so 
unhappy — so discouraged, my 
dear fellow? All is not lost. 
I still have hope. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 183 

George (soupirant), George (sighing). 

Je n'en ai aucun. I have none. 

Marie (en chapeau), Marie (with her bonnet on). 

Yoyons ; de quelle couleur What • color shall my dress 

ferai-je faire ma robe pour la be for the grand occasion ? 
grande occasion? 

Charles. Charles. 

Bleue ; c'est ta couleur. Blue ; that is most becoming ^ 

to you. 

Marie. Marie, 

George, sera-t-elle bleue ? George, shall it be blue ? 

George (souriant), George (smiling), 

Moi qui suis toujours de I'o- I always adopt the opinion 

pinion de tout le monde, je of others; but now I think I 

crois que je ferai de Fopposi- will be in the opposition. I say 

tion. Je dis rose. pink. 

Marie. Marie. 

Aliens, messieurs, il ne sera Well, gentlemen, it will not 

pas facile de vous satisfaire tons be an easy matter to gratify 

deux. you both. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je suis -prete, mes enfants. I am ready, my children. 

Marie, nous allons chez Bau- Marie, we are going to Bau- 

drant et chez Madame de Bai- drant's and to Madame de Bai- 

sieux. sieux. 

Marie. Marie. 

Oui, maman. (Us sortent.) Yes, mamma. (Thej/ go out.) 



184 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



CHAPITRE XIX. 

La Modiste et la Oouturiere. 
Chez Baudrant. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

The Milliner and Dressmaker, 
At Baicdranfs. 



Mme. Darville [a une demoi- Mrs. Darville {to one of the 
selle), young girls), 

Je voudrais voir le chapeau I would like to see the bon- 

que j'ai commande il y a quel- net I ordered a few days ago ; 

ques jours; je crois qu'il sera I think it will require a few 

necessaire d'y faire quelques alterations, 
changements. 



La Demoiselle. 

Je vais le faire demander a 
Tatelier, madame ; en attendant, 
voulez-vous voir quelques nou- 
veautes ? Voici un chapeau 
blanc habille, qui ira parfaite- 
ment a mademoiselle. 



The YouNa Girl. 

I will send to the work-room 
for it, ma'am. Meanwhile, will 
you look at some of our last 
fashions ? Here is a white dress- 
bonnet, which will be very be- 
coming to this young lady. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. -Darville. 

II est, en effet, tres elegant. It is truly elegant. Marie, 

Marie, essaie-le, mon enfant. try it on. 

Marie. Marie. 

Mais, maman, j'ai deja plu- Mamma, I already have sev- 

sieurs chapeaux. eral bonnets. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Celui-ci te servira pour tes You can wear this one to 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



185 



visites d'adieu, avant notre de- make your farewell visits, be- 
part, fore we leave. 

Marie. Marie. 

Comme tu voudras ; je me Just as you say ; I will al- 

ferai une douce violence. low myself to be prevailed upon. 



La Demoiselle. 

Voici les trois cbapeaux de 
Mademoiselle de Parnes : son 
chapeau de visite ; quelle lege- 
rete dans cette blonde et ces 
plumes ! Remarquez ces tube- 
reuses, comme elles sont fines ! 
En voici un autre rose, a fleurs ; 
et celui en velours gros vert, 
n'est pas moins joli. Ces dames 
se mettent avec un go\it exquis. 

Mme. Darville. 

C'est delicieux I Ah ! voila 
mon chapeau. Je voudrais que 
vous eussiez la bonte, made- 
moiselle, 'd'y faire mettre des 
plumes au lieu de ces fleurs en 
velours, que j 'avals choisies ; et 
veuillez remplacer cette blonde 
par une voilette en chantilly ; 
e'est plus babille. Pouvez- 
vous m'envoyer ces deux cha- 
peaux demain ? 

La Demoiselle. 
Oui, madame. Permettez- 



Ths Young Girl. 

Here are Mademoiselle de 
Parnes' three bonnets : her vis- 
iting bonnet ; how light this 
blonde and feathers are ! Do 
notice the fine texture of these 
tuberoses. Here is another 
pink one, with flowers; and 
this, dark green velvet is not 
less pretty. Those ladies dress 
with a great deal of taste. 

Mrs. Darville. 

These are beautiful indeed ! 
Ah ! here is my bonnet. I wish 
you to have it trimmed with 
feathers, instead of the velvet 
flowers I had selected ; and be 
kind enough to change this 
blonde for a small black lace 
veil. It is more dressy. Can 
you send me these two bon- 
nets to-morrow? 



The Young Girl. 
Yes, ma'am. Allow me to 



186 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 



moi de vous faire voir quelques show you a few head-dresses, 

coiffures. Voici une espece de Here is a sort of turban with 

turban, a filets d'or, qui est ra- gold bands, which is exquisite ; 

vissant ; rien n'est mieux porte. nothing can be in better taste. 

Madame a-t-elle ete contente "Were you pleased with your 

de ses bonnets ? caps ? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui ; ils vont a merveille. Yes ; they are very becom- 

Cette coiffure me plait; en- ing to me. This head-dress 

voyez-la-moi aussi. suits me ; send it to me also. 



Marie. 

Oh ! mam an, pardon, un in- 
stant; je voudrais essayer ces 
deux coiffures en rubans. (A la 
demoiselle,) Elles ne doi vent pas 
etre tres cher, mademoiselle ? 



La Demoiselle. 

Vingt francs seulement. Elles 
vous vont a ravir. C'est si com- 
mode, quand on veut se coiffer 
simplement. 



Marie. 

Oh ! mamma, excuse me one 
moment ; I would like to try 
on these two ribbon head- 
dresses. (To the young girl) 
They cannot be very expensive ; 
are they ? 

The Young Girl. 

Only twenty francs. They 
are very becoming indeed ; and 
so convenient, when one fancies 
a simple head-dress. 



Marie. Marie. 

Oui ; elles me seront tres Yes ; they will be very use- 
utiles. Maman, vous permettez ? ful to me. Mamma, may I take 

them? 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Certainement. Vous ajoute- Certainly. You will add these 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



187 



rez ces deux objets, et surtout two articles to those we have 
n'oubhez pas la note. chosen, and be particular to 

send me the bill. 

La Demoiselle. The Young Girl. 

Madame pent s'en rapporter You can depend upon me, 
a moi. ma'am. 



Mme. Darville. — Marie. — Mme. de Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — Mme. de 
Baisieux. — Une Demoiselle. Baisieux. — A Young Girl. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

Bonjour, mesdames; je suis 
si heureuse de vous voir. Vos 
robes vous attendent, mademoi- 
selle' Nous allons aussi nous 
occuper de votre toilette pour 
le mariage de Mademoiselle de 
Parnes. Ces dames sortent d'ici. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

Good morning, ladies ; I am 
most happy to see you. Your 
dresses are ready for you, Miss 
Darville. We must also see 
about your toilet for Mademoi- 
selle de Parnes' wedding. Those 
ladies have just left here. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, je venais vous consulter Yes, I came for that purpose, 

la-dessus, Voyons, Marie ; il Come, Marie ; I think you are 

me semble que tu as voix au entitled to an opinion on the 

chapitre. subject. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je m'en rapporte entiere- I will trust entirely to Ma- 

ment a Madame de Baisieux ; dame de Baisieux ; she has 

elle a tant de gout. such excellent taste. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 
Mademoiselle est bien bonne. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 
You are very kind. Here is 



188 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



Tenez, voici une toilette bleue, 
que je viens de faire finir pour 
Mademoiselle d'lvry. 

Marie. 

Elle est bien jolie ; mais je suis 
fatigue e de bleu. Ne pourriez- 
vous me faire une toilette rose, 
dans le meme genre ? 

Mme. de Baisieux. 

Parfaitement. II est tout-a- 
fait indifferent que le tulle soit 
rose ou bleu. Seulement on 
cbangera les fleurs. Avec quoi 
la garnirons-nous ? des bruy- 
eres ? voyons ; — non — c'est roi- 
de. Oh. ! tenez, mademoiselle, 
je viens d'envoyer une toi- 
lette a Madame la Duchesse de 
Nemours, qui vous irait a mer- 
veille ; elle est garnie d'eglan- 
tiers ; c'est d'une fraicheur ! 

Marie. 

L'idee est excellente ; je I'a- 
dopte. Me voila habillee pour 
la signature du contrat; mais 
pour le mariage, madame, il 
me faudra une autre toilette. 
II faut que je sois en blanc, 
n'est-ce pas, maman? 



a blue dress I have just finish- 
ed for Mademoiselle d'lvry. 

Marie. 

It is very pretty ; but I am 
tired of blue. Could you not 
have a pink dress made for 
me, in the same style ? 

Mme. de Baisieux. 

Perfectly. It is immaterial 
that the tulle should be pink 
or blue. The flowers will have 
to be different, that is all. What 
shall we trim it with? heath? 
let me see ; — no — that is too 
stiff. Oh ! I have just sent the 
Ducbess of Nemours a pink 
dress, which would suit you 
exactly ; it was trimmed with 
wild roses, and so very youth- 
ful! 

Marie. 

That is an excellent idea ; I 
will adopt it. Now I am dressed 
for the reading of the marriage 
contract ; but for the wedding, 
I must have another toilet. My 
dress must be white, don't 
you think so, mamma ? 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Qui, mon enfant, et assez Yes, dear, and rather simple. 



FRE'nCH as spoken est PARIS. 



189 



simplement. Ce jour-la, il faut On that occasion, all magnifi- 

ceder tout le luxe a la mariee. cence must be given up to the 

La robe de Mademoiselle de bride. Is Mademoiselle de Par- 

Parnes, sera-t-elle tres belle ? nes' dress very rich ? 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

Elle est en moire antique, cou- 
verte d' Angleterre ; rien ne peut 
etre plus beau ! Je suis tout-a- 
fait de votre avis, madame, 
qu'une toilette simple, quoiqu'e- 
legante, conviendrait mieux a 
mademoiselle. J'ai la une soie 
glacee, qui seraittres jolie, faite 
a volants. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

It is to be of moire antique, 
covered with point lace ; noth- 
ing can be more beautiful ! 
I am quite of your opinion, 
ma'am, that a simple, though 
styhsh, dress would be more 
suitable for this young lady. I 
have a glace silk, which would 
be very pretty, made with 
flounces. 



Marie. Marie. 

Je n'ai pas la moindre ob- I have no objection, if it 
jection, si maman y consent. suits mamma. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 
Si toutes mes pratiques etaient 
aussi peu difficiles que vous, 
mademoiselle, je ferais beau- 
coup plus d'ouvrage dans ma 
journee. Je suis restee, ce ma- 
tin, une bonne heure, avec 
mademoiselle votre cousine, a 
decider d'une garniture de vo- 
lants. 

Mme. Darville. 
Quelle perte de temps ! 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

If all my customers were as 
easily satisfied as you, miss, I 
would accomplish much more 
work through the day. This 
morning I spent a whole hour 
with your cousin, before she 
could make up her mind about 
a trimming for her flounces. 

Mrs. Darville. 
What a loss of time ! 



190 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Marie, tu dois essayer tes robes. Marie, you must try on your 

[Elles passent dans un houdoir^ dresses. (They step into a bou- 

meuhle avec heaucoup d^ele- doir^ which is elegantly fur- 

grance,) nished,) 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

n ne nous faudra qu'un in- 
stant. {A la demoiselle^ Deman- 
dez les robes de Mademoiselle 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

It will only take a few min- 
utes. {To the young girl!) Ask 
for Miss Darville's dresses. And 



Darville. 
dame? 


Et pour vous. 


ma- 


what shall 
ma'am ? 


I make 


for J 


'OU, 


Mme. Darville. 




Mrs. 


Darville. 




Eh bien 


! je ne suis pas 


tres 


Well, I have not 


made 


up 



decidee ; vous savez que j'ai du 
velours, de la moire, du satin. 
Portant toujours du noir, il me 
semble qu'il n'y a pas grande 
variete. 



my mind about it. You know, 
I have velvet, moire, satin. As 
I always wear black, I don't 
think there is much variety. 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

Vous avez une robe de satin 
broche. Si vous faisiez met- 
tre des volants de dentelle 
noire, sur du satin uni ? {La 
d£moiselle apporte les robes, 
Mme. de Baisieux les es- 
saie,) 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

I believe you have a broche 
satin. Supposing you have 
black lace flounces on plain 
satin ? ( The young girl brings 
in the dresses, Mme. de Bai- 
sieux tries them oti.) 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Ce serait une grande extra- It would be a great piece of 
vagance. extravagance. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



191 



Marie. 

Ah! par exemple, maman; 
tu n'es pas assez coquette. 
Tu sais que nous devons te 
faire un cadeau pour ta fete, 
Charles et moi. Eh bien ! Nous 
te donnerons des volants de 
dentelle noire. 

Mme. Darville. 

Je m'y oppose formellement, 
mes enfants. Si Madame de 
Baisieux croit que les volants 
soient essentiels, jo me confor- 
merai aux exigences de la mode. 

Marie. 

Oh ! cette robe me gene plus 
que I'autre ; les entournures 
sont trop etroites, et la taille 
me parait bien courte. Ces af- 
freuses basques! Quand done 
se debarrassera-t-on de cette 
mode disgracieuse ? 

Mme. de Baisieux. 

Graduellement. Je suis de 
votre avis, mademoiselle ; elle 
ne fait pas ressortir la beaute 
de la taille. [A la demoiselle.) 
Venez habiller mademoiselle. 



Marie. 

Oh! mother, you are not 
coquettish enough. You know 
Charles and I are going to 
make you a present for your 
birthday. Well, we will give 
you black lace flounces. 

Mrs. Darville. 

I positively oppose that ar- 
rangement. If Madame de 
Baisieux thinks the flounces es- 
sential, I will submit to the 
tyranny of fashion. 

Marie. 

Oh ! this dress is tighter than 
the other; the arm-holes are 
too small, and the waist ap- 
pears to be very short. These 
ugly basques ! When will we 
get rid of this ungraceful fash- 
ion? 

Mme. de Baisieux. 

Gradually. I am of your 
opinion ; it does not display 
the beauties of the figure. (To 
the young girl,) Assist Miss 
Darville in putting on her dress. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je puis compter sur vous, I can depend upon you, can 



192 



COlVnOiNT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



madame, n'est-ce pas ? Alois il I not ? Then it is settled, that 

est convenu, que vous me met- you will put the lace flounces 

trez des volants de dentelle sur on black satin ; and all will be 

du satin noir ; et tout sera pr^t ready in a week ? 
dans huit jours ? 



Mme. de Baisieux. 
Certainly, ma'am, (She ac- 



Mme. de Baisieux. 

Bien certainement, madame. 
{Reconduisant les dames!) J'ai companies the ladies to the door,) 
Phonneur de vous saluer, mes- Good-morning, ladies, 
dames. 

Marie. Marie. 

Ne me serrez pas trop la Do not tighten my waist 
taille, madame. too much. 

Mme. de Baisieux. Mme. de Baisieux. 

Soyez tranquille, mademoi- Be perfectly easy, 
selle. 



CHAPITRE XX. 

L^Hotel de Fames, 
La Signature du Contrat. 



M. ET Mme. de Parnes.— Laure. — 
— Mme. Daryille. — Charles. — 
Marie. — M. de Montreuii* — M. 
in: Mme. Dorimont. — M. et Mme. 
DE FoRLis. — Le General Ber- 
TRAND. — George. — M. et Mme. de 
LussAN, etc., etc., etc. — Le No- 

TAIRE. 



CHAPTER XX. 

The Hotel de Parnes. 
Heading of the Marriage Contract. 



M. AND Mme. de Parnes. — Laura. — 
Mrs. Darville. — Charles. — Ma- 
rie. — Mr. and Mrs. Dorimont. — 
M. AND Mme. de Forlis. — Gene- 
ral Bertrand. — George, — M. 
AND Mme, de Lussan, etc., etc., 
etc. — A Notary. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



193 



(Ze salon est rempli de monde ; 
les femmes en grande toilette, 
Au milieu de Vappartenient^ 
une table sur laquelle il y a 
des papier s^ une ecritoire^ des 
plumes, Dans une piece a 
droite^ sont des bijoux^ des 
bronzes artistiqueSj des oh- 
jets de valeur — cadeaux de 
Laure. A gauche^ un petit 
salon contenant une table- 
buffet^ couverte de mets deli- 
cats^ sucreries^ etc, Beaucoup 
de fleurs et de lumiere par- 
tout,) 



{The draioing-room is filled 
with company ; the ladies in 
full dress. In the middle of 
the room stands a table ^ upon 
which are papers^ an inkstand^ 
and pens. In a parlor on 
the right ^ may be seen jewel- 
ry^ bronzes^ and various valu- 
able things^ — Laura! s wedding 
presents. On the left^ another 
small parlor containing a 
table covered with delicacies 
of all kinds, A profusion of 
light and flowers everywhere,) 



Jacques (annongant). 

Monsieur et Madame Dori- 
mont. 



James (announcing), 
Mr. and Mrs. Dorimont. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Je suis trop heureuse de vous I am most happy to see you, 

voir, chere madame. Comment dear madam. Your health is 

vous portez-vous ? good, I hope ? 



Mme. Dorimont. 

Beaucoup mieux, merci. Per- 
mettez-moi de vous offrir mes 
compliments les plus sinceres ; 
on dit tant de bien de M. 
de Montreuil ; votre coeur doit 
toe parfaitement satisfait, ma- 
dame. 



Mrs. Dorimont. 

Much better, thank you. Al- 
low me to offer you my most 
sincere congratulations. M. de 
Montreuil is so highly spoken 
of; every wish of your heart 
must be gratified. 



194 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PAEIS. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Oui, rien ne manque au bon- 
lieur de ma fille. 

Jacques (annongant). 

Monsieur et Madame de Bre- 
vannes, Miss Howard, Monsieur 
Arthur de Brevannes. 



Mme. de Parnes. 

Yes, my daughter is perfectly 
happy. 

James [announcing). 

Monsieur and Madame de 
Brevannes, Miss Howard, Mon- 
sieur Arthur de Brevannes. 



Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Bonsoir, mesdames. (Ulle re- Good-evening. [She receives 

goit d^ autre s personnes ; la so- other guests ; the company dis- 

ciete circule dans les salons^ la perses through the parlors^ the 

conversation devient generale) conversation becomes general,) 



Mme. de Lussan (a Laure). 

Comme vous etes bien mise, 
Laure ! Mais pourquoi cet air 
soucieux? Un jour comme 
celui-ci, ou tout vous sourit, 
il me semble que vous pour- 
riez bien saluer la Fortune d'un 
plus doux regard. 

Laure. 

Je suis si fatiguee de rece- 
voir des felicitations ! au point 
que le bonheur et les voeux de 
mes amis m'accablent. Je ne 
serai pas fachee de quitter Pa- 
ris pour quelque temps. 

Mme. Merc curt. 
Vous part€z demain, made- 
moiselle ? 



Mme. de Lussan [to Laura). 

How beautifully you are dress- 
ed, Laura ! But why that look 
of concern ? Upon such an oc- 
casion as this, when every thing 
smiles upon you, methinks you 
might welcome Dame Destiny 
with a kinder look. 

Laura. 

I am so thed of being con- 
gratulated I so much so, that I 
am literally crushed by the joy 
and the good wishes of my 
friends. I shall not be sorry to 
leave Paris for some time. 

Mrs. Mercourt. 
You leave to-morrow 3 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 195 

Laure. Laura. 

Oui, pour visiter TAngle- Yes, to visit England. We 



terre. 
mois. 



JSToiis J passerons un will remain there a month. 



M. Sainval. Mr. Sainval. 

Vous parlez sans doute Fan- I suppose you speak En- 
glais ? glish ? 



Laure. 
As fluently as French. 

Mme. Merc curt. 

Vous avez une facilite eton- 
nante. Dites-moi done, il pa- 
rait que Mme. de Forlis a enfin 
ouvert ses salons ; son bal 
etait superbe, dit-on. Elle est 
bien belle ce soir ; quelle pro- 
fusion de diamants ! mais quel 
air hautain et dedaigneux. J'es- 
pere bien que cette gentille 
personne la-bas, ne deviendra 
jamais sa belle-fille. 



Laura. 
As fluently as French. 

Mrs. Mercourt. 

You have a wonderful fa- 
cility. Do tell me, it appears 
Mme. de Forlis has at last 
made up her mind to receive 
company. I am told her ball 
was magnificent. She is superb 
this evening ; what a profusion 
of diamonds ! but how haughty 
and disdainful she looks ! I hope 
that sweet girl over there, will 
never become her daughter-in- 
law. 



Laure. Laura. 

Elle ne serait pas tres a She would not be much to 

plaindre. be pitied. 

Jacques (annoncani), James (announcing), 

Le General Bertrand, Mon- General Bertrand, Mr. Dal- 

sieur Dalbret. bret. 



196 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Fanny (a Marie). Fanny [to Marie). 

Qui est done ce jeune homme Who is that young man just 

qui entre avec ce monsieur coming in, with that elderly 

d\in certain age ? gentleman ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Ce sont deux de nos bons They are dear friends of 

amis, que je vous presenterai ours, whom I will introduce to 

ce soir. you this evening. 

Fanny. Fanny. 

Tant mieux. Quel joli gar- It will give me great pleas- 
con ! quel air distingue ! Ma- ure. What a handsome fel- 
rie, vous le connaissez depuis low ! how genteel 1 Marie, have 
longtemps ? you known him a long time ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Depuis mon enfance. (A Since my childhood. {To 

George.) George, je veux vous George.) George, let me in- 

presenter a Miss Howard, une troduce you to Miss Howard, a 

aimable amie a moi. sweet little friend of mine, 

George. George. 

J'ai deja beaucoup entendu I have heard a great deal 

parler de mademoiselle. about Miss Howard. 

Fanny (vivement). Fanny [hastily), 

Vraiment ! monsieur. Ah ! la Indeed ! Ah ! we are not al- 

parole nous est defendue pour lowed to speak just now ; the 

le moment ; on va lire le con- marriage contract is to be read, 
trat. 

[Le notaire s^approcke de la ta- [The notary goes to the table, 
hie, Laure, M. de Mon- Laura, M. de Montreuil, 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



197 



TREUiL, les memhres de leurs 
families, se placent a quel- 
ques pas, Le plus grand si- 
lence regne dans les salons. 
Le notaire fait la lecture du 
contrat, Ensuite, M. de Mon- 
TREUiL, Laure, leurs parents 
et plusieurs personnes de la 
societe, signent Facte. La con- 
versation redevient generale, 
Beaucoup de personnes pas- 
sent dans le petit salon pour 
y prendre des glaces et autres 
rafraichissenien ts. ) 

Mme. de Forlis (d Mme. Dar- 
ville). 

Votre fille est cliarmaiite ce 
soir, madame ; du reste, elle Test 
toujours. Au dernier bal de 
la cour, elle a ete remarquee 
par I'Empereur. 



and their families, stand at a 
short distance, A profound 
silence is observed throughout 
the parlors. The notary reads 
the contract. Immediately af- 
terwards, M. DE Montreuil, 
Laura, their relations, and 
several of the company, sign 
the act. General conversation 
is resumed. Many p>ersons 
walk into the side parlor, to 
take ices and other refresh- 
ments.) 

Mme. de Forlis (to Mrs. Dar- 
ville). 

Your daughter looks sweetly 
this evening ; in fact she always 
does. At the last court-ball she 
was noticed by the Emperor. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

C'est un honneur auquel j'at- It is an honor to which I at- 
tache bien pen d'importance. tach very little importance, as 
Une toilette plus ou moins ele- any handsome dress would ob- 
gante pent en obtenir autant, tain the same distinction, 
bien facile ment. 

Mme. de Forlis. Mme. de Forlis. 

Yous avez tort, madame. You are wrong. Wom.en 

L' admiration est un droit au- should value admiration a great 

quel les femmes doivent tenir deal, and you may well be 



198 



COMIVIENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 



beaucoup, et vous devez 6tre 
fiere des succes que made- 
moiselle voire fiUe a obtenus 
cet hiver. J'ai tant regrette de 
n'avoir pas pu m'occuper da- 
vantage de vous chez moi, il y 
a quelques jours; mais j 'avals 
tant de personnes a voir ; il j 
a si longtemps que je vis reti- 
ree du monde. 



proud of the sensation your 
daughter has created this win- 
ter. I regretted so much not 
being able to see more of you 
a few days ago at my own 
house. I had so many persons 
to entertain, having led a re- 
tired life for so long. 



Mme. Darville. 

Et moi aussi, madame. J'ha- 
bite la campagne depuis bien 
des annees ; mes enfants ont de 
la peine a s'habituer a la vie 
de Paris. 



Mrs. Darville. 

And I also. For many years 
I have lived in the country. 
My children find it difiicult 
to become accustomed to the 
Parisian mode of living, 



Mme. de Forus. 

Oh! ce serait un crime de 
releguer cette charmante per- 
sonne a la campagne. (A M. 
DE FoRLis.) Mon fils, venez 
m'aider a persuader madame. 
Je crains qu'elle ne veuille nous 
quitter. 



Mme. de Forlis. 

Oh! it would be a sin to 
bury this sweet girl in the coun- 
try. (To M. DE Forlis.) My son, 
assist me in persuading Mrs. 
Darville. I fear she thinks of 
leaving us. 



M. DE Forlis. M. de Forlis. 

J'espere bii^n que non. Je I hope not. I have just been 

viens d'exprimer a Mademoi- telling Miss Darville how much 

selle Darville, combien une pa- such a decision would distress 

reille decision nous rendrait us. 
malheureux. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



199 



Le Genj^ral Bertrand (a M. 
Dorimont). 

Ah ! mon cher ami, comme 
je suis heureux de vous ren- 
contrer ! Je me promene dans 
cette foule depuis une demi- 
heiire, sans y voir une figure 
de connaissance. 



General Bertrand {to Mr. 
Dorimont). 

Ah ! my friend, how delight- 
ed I am to meet you ! I have 
been in this crowd for half an 
hour, without seeing one single 
familiar face. 



M. Dorimont. 

Et Madame Darville et ses 
enfants ? 

Le General Bertrand. 

!N'e m'en parlez pas, j'ai le 
coeur brise. Je voudrais n'etre 
jamais venu a Paris. Je n'au- 
rais rien vu de mes propres 
yeux. Oh ! mon cher, je ne 
suis qu'un vieil enfant. 

M. Dorimont. 

Allons, allons. Parlous d'au- 
tres choses. Youlez-vous que je 
vous serve de cicerone ? Voyez 
done cette belle femme, debout 
devant cette glace, en robe de 
velours nacarat ; c'est Mme. 
de Mansigny, la cousine de 
Laure. 



Mr. Dorimont. 

Not Mrs. Darville and her 
children ? 

General Bertrand. 

Don't mention them. My heart 
aches on the subject. I wish I 
had never come to Paris. I 
should not have seen all this 
with my own eyes. Ah! my 
dear friend, I am in my dotage. 

Mr. Dorimont. 

Come, come. Let us talk of 
something else. Shall I be your 
guide to-night? Look at that 
beautiful creature in crimson 
velvet, standing before the glass ; 
that is Mme. de Mansigny, 
Laura's cousin. 



Le GtNiERAL Bertrand. General Bertrand. 

Elle a beaucoup d'eclat ; mais She is very showy ; but see 



200 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARrs. 



tenez, la-bas, a droite, cette 
jeune femme couverte de tulle 
noir ; quel delicieux profil ! 



M. DORIMONT. 

C'est la jeune Comtesse Ba- 
thilde de Croie, la fille d'un 
de mes freres d'armes. EUe est 
petillante d'esprit. 



over there, on the right, that 
young person covered with 
black tulle ; what an admirable 
profile she has ! 

Mr. Dorimont* 

That is the young Countess 
Bathilda de Croie ; the daugh- 
ter of one of my brothers in 
arms* She is witty in the ex- 
treme. 



Le General Bertrand. General Bertrand. 

Et cette grande jeune fille. And that tall young girl just 
qui sort de la serre, en robe bou- coming out of the conservatory, 
ton d'or; on dirait une fleur in a gold-colored dress; she 
animee, resembles one of the flowers 

personified. 



M. DORIMONT- 

C'est Mademoiselle d'lvry. 
Mais remarquez done Mme. de 
Forlis et ses diamants ; on pour- 
rait croire qu'ils representent 
ses illustres ancetres, tant elle 
porte la t^te haute. 



Mr, Dorimont. 

It is Mademoiselle d'lvry. 
But do look at Mme. de Forlis 
and her diamonds; one would 
suppose each of them persona- 
ted one of her illustrious ances- 
tors, she carries her head so 
high. 



Mme. Mercourt. 

Mon cher general, vous qui 
avez tant de tact et d'esprit, 
venez done a mon secours. Je 
viens de faire une afireuse be- 



Mrs. Mercourt. 

My dear general, you who 
possess so much wit and tact, 
do come* to my assistance. I 
have made a terrible mistake. 



IfRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



201 



vue. Figurez-vous que j'ai cri- 
tique, d'une maniere indigne, 
Mme. de Foiiis devant Mme. 
de Lussau, qui se trouve 6tre 
sa parente ; aussi, la Duchesse 
me lance depuis des regards 
foudroyants. 

M. DORIMONT. 

Personne ne peut vous tirer 
d'embarras mieux que vous- 
meme, chere madame. La na- 
ture Yous a fourni des argu- 
ments irresistibles. 

Mme. IVIercourt. 

Vous etes un flatteur, gene- 
ral ; mais en conscience, dites- 
moi, si cette vieille marquise, 
avec ses quatre-vingts ans et 
ses ornements, n'est pas souve- 
rainement ridicule ? 



Just fancy my criticising in tlie 
severest manner Mme. de Forlis 
in presence of Mme. de Lussan, 
who happens to be related to 
her ; and since then, the Duchess 
has been looking daggers at 
me. 

Mr. Dorimont. 

]^o one can better remedy 
the evil than yoiu'self, dear 
lady. Nature has furnished you 
with irresistible arguments. 

Mrs. Merc curt. 

You flatter me, general. But 
do tell me, whether that old 
marchioness, wdth her eighty 
years and her ornaments, is not 
supremely ridiculous ? 



M. Dorimont. 
Parfaftement. 



Mr. Dorimont. 
Of course. 



Fanny (a George. Elle lui 
donne le bras et passe dans 
le salon^ oil sont exposes les 
cadeaux de Laure.) 

Non, je ne comprends j)as 
encore. Monsieur Dalbret, com- 



Fanny [to George, taking his 
arm^ and walking into the 
parlor^ where Laura's pres- 
ents are exhibited,) 

No, I cannot understand, 
Mr. Dalbret, how it is that 



ment il se fait que vous ne soyez you are not dead in love with, 
pas amoureux fou de Marie. Marie. 



9* 



202 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



George. 

Vous m'avouerez 
fort heureux. 



George. 

que c'est You will acknowledge, that 
it is a most fortunate thing. 



Fanny. 

Peut-6tre ; mais j'aimerais 
mieux que cela fat. Au fait, 
vous devez me trouver bien 
franche , bien extraordinaire , 
n'est-ce pas? de vous conter 
tout ce qi5i me passe par la 
tete. Mais c'est mon genre. Au 
bout d'une heure de conversa- 
tion, vous me connaitrez aussi 
bien que mes meilleurs amis* 



Fanny. 

Perhaps so ; but I would 
prefer it should be the case. 
You must think it very frank, 
very odd in me, to tell you 
every thing that crosses my 
mind ; do you not ? But that is 
my style. After you have con- 
versed an hour with me, you 
will know my disposition as 
well as my best friends do. 



George. 
Vous possedez une qualite 



George, 

You possess a rare advan- 
bien rare, mademoiselle, et pres- tage, Miss Howard. I may say 
qu'unique a Paris, ou tout est you stand alone, in that respect, 
faussete et dissimulation. in Paris, where every thing is 

false and deceitful. 



Marie {qui a entendu les der- 
nieres paroles de George). 

Ah ! (a M. DE FoRLis qui lui 
donne le bras,) Je viens de me 
frapper le pied contre cette 
porte. Pardon ; je me suis fait 
un mal affreux. 



Marie (who has overheard 
George's .last woMs), 

Ah ! (to M. DE FoRLis whose 
arm she has taken.) I have just 
struck my foot against this 
door. Excuse me. I have hurt 
myself dreadfully. 



Fanny (courant a elle), Fanny (running to her). 

Marie, qu'avez-vous done? Marie, what is the matter? 
vous 6tes bien pale. Monsieur how pale you are ! Monsieur 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 203 

de Forlis, demandez un verre de Forlis, pray get a glass of 

d'eau pour Mademoiselle Dar- water for Miss Darville. 
\dlle, je vous en prie. 

Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! cela ne sera rien ; je me Oh ! it is very trifling ; I feel 

sens mieux. better. 

Mme. de Parnes (a Mme. de Mme. de Parnes [to Mme. de 

Brevannes), Brevannes). 

Nous aurons, j'espere, le pki- I hope we shall have the 

sir de vous voir demain au pleasure of seeing you to-mor- 

mariage de Laure. Vous savez, row at Laura's wedding. You 

chere madame, que je compte know, dear madam, that I de- 

sur vous. pend upon you. 

Mme. de Brevannes, Mme. de Brevannes, 

Ce sera avec joie que j'assis- I will be present at the 

terai a k ceremonie. A quelle ceremony with a great deal of 

eglise se marie Mademoiselle pleasure. At what church will 

Laure ? Miss Laura be mamed ? 

Mme. de Parnes, Mme, de Parnes. . 

A St. Thomas d'Aquin, no- At St. Thomas d'Aquin, our 

tre paroisse ; a onze heures pre- parish church ; at eleven o'clock 

cises. precisely. 

Mme. de Brevannes, Mme. de Brevannes. 

Ce sera une bien jolie mariee. She will be a beautiful bride. 

On me dit que son voile est de I am told her veil is magnifi^ 

toute beaute. cent, 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

O'est un cadeau de Mme. de It was given to her by Mme. 



204 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



Montreuil ; il est en effet tres de Montr euil ; it is in fact very 

beau. handsome. 

Charles (a Arthur). Charles {to Arthtir). 

Avez-vous vu les merveilles Have you seen tlie wonders 

du petit salon ? II y a des bron- of that little parlor ? There are 

zes de chez Deniere, d'une some exquisite bronzes from 

grande beaute. Deniere's. 



Arthur. 

L'argenterie surtout est d'un 
go lit exquis. Ah! Montreuil, 
ou allez-vous done? Donnez- 
nous un instant; c'est a peine 
si nous avons eu Toccasion de 
vous faire notre compliment. 

M. DE MoNTREUlL* 

Merci, mon cher ami. Ah ! 
ca, je vous verrai a I'eglise, 
n'est-ce pas? Je vous fe- 
ral mes adieux en sortant, car 
nous partirons le meme jour. 

Charles. 

Heureux mortel ! Voyons, Ar- 
thur, allons revoir les belles 
choses. [Ilspassent dans le pe- 
tit salon.) 

Arthur. 

Miss Fanny, encore en con- 
versation avec M. Dalbret ! 
Mais — mais qu'est-ce que cela 
veut dire ? 



Arthur. 

The silver is in particularly 
good taste. Ah ! Montreuil, 
where are you going ? Do spare 
us a moment ; we have scarcely 
had a chance of congratulating 
you. 

M. DE Montreuil. 

Thank you, my dear fellow. 
By the by, I depend upon see- 
ing you at church, will I not ? 
I will take leave of you coming 
out, as we will start immediately. 

Charles. 

What a lucky fellow ! Come, 
Arthur, let us go look at the 
pretty things again. {They walk 
into the side parlor.) 

Arthur. 

What, Miss Fanny, still in 
confab with Mr. Dalbret I 
What can it mean ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAlilS. 



205 



Fanny (riant). 

Tout simplement, que M. 
Dalbret est tres aim able, et 
qu'il ne voltige pas, de fleur en 
fleur, comme vous, messieurs. 



Fanny (laughing). 

Merely, that Mr. Dalbret is 
very agreeable, and does not 
flutter from flower to flower, 
as you do, gentlemen. 



Charles. Charles. 

Quelle injuste accusation, ma- That is a very unjust accu- 
demoiselle ? sation, Miss Howard. 



Fanny. 

Oh ! no ; I know the world 
well now, and have a fixed 
opinion on the subject. Do look 
at this beautiful set of turquoise 
buttons. What a lucky crea- 
ture Laura is ! I would like to 
get married, merely to have 
all these pretty things. 

Charles. 

For that reason only? By 
the by, George, how do you 
like Marie's pink dress ? 

Fanny. Fanny. 

Je viens de dire a M. Dal- I have just been telling Mr. 

bret qu'il n'avait pas de gout ; Dalbret, that he has no taste ; 

il prefere la toilette de Madame he prefers Madame d'Isigny's 

d'Isigny a celle de Marie. toilet to Marie's. 

Chajiles. Charles. 

" Des gouts et des conleurs, " Every one to his liking." 



Fanny. 

Oh ! non ; je connais bien le 
monde a present, et j'ai mes 
opinions arretees a son egard. 
Voyez done cette belle garni- 
ture de boutons en turquoises. 
Est-elle heureuse cette Laure ! 
Je voudrais me marier, seule- 
ment pour avoir toutes ces jo- 
lies choses. 

Charles. 

Seulement ? A propos, Geor- 
ge ; comment avez-vous trouve 
la toilette rose de Marie ? 



206 COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

il ne faut pas disputer." Allons, Come, George, let me have the 

George, cede-moi le plaisir de pleasure of a little talk with 

causer un instant avec Miss Miss Howard ; and tell mother, 

Howard ; et dis a ma mere, qui who does not seem much en- 

a I'air de s'ennuyer la-bas, que tertained over there, that I shall 

je serai a ses ordres,. aussitot be at her orders, as soon as she 

qu'elle voudra s'en aller. wants to go home. 

George. George, 

J'ai un mal de tete fou, mon I have an awful headache, 

cher ami. Je vais faire ta com- my dear fellow. I will deliver 

mission et ensuite je rentrerai your message and then retire, 

chez moi. Je vous salue, made- Good-evening, Miss Howard. 
moiselle. 

Fanny. Fanny, 

Bonsoir, monsieur. (George Good-evening, sir. (George 

sort) Eh bien ! excepte deux, leaves the room.) Well ! except 

c'est certainement le plus gentil two, this is the finest young 

gar9on que j'aie rencontre ici. man I have met here. 

Charles. Charles. 

II vaut son pesant d'or. Quels He is worth his weight in 

sont done ces deux heureuses gold. Who are those two lucky 

exceptions, mademoiselle f exceptions, Miss Howard ? 

Fanny. Fanny. . 

C'est mon secret. That is my secret, 

[Beaucoup de personnes passent i^Many persons go into the sup- 
dans la salle du souper. On per-room. The company he- 
commence a se retirer. Vers gins to disperse. Towards 
minuitj il ne reste plus qu'une twelve o^ clock there are only 
vingtaine de personnes,) about twenty persons remain- 
ing) 



# 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 207 

M. DE Parnes (a Marie). M. de Parnes {to Marie). 

, Qu'avez-vous done ce soir, What is the matter with 

mon enfant ? Malgre cette ra- you, dear child ? Notwithstand- 

vissante toilette, je vous trouve ing your exquisite dress, you 

toute chanofee. do not look as well as usual. 

Marie. Marie. 

Oui, mon oncle. Je suis souf- Yes, uncle. I am not well ; 

frante ; cette vie de dissipation this life of dissipation is ex- 

m'epuise. hausting. 

M. DE Parnes. M. de Parnes. 

Est-ce aussi la dissipation qui Is it dissipation, also, which 

fait briller cette larme dans les brings that tear, my child ? 
yeux de ma petite amie ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Peut-6tre. {A Mme. Dar- Perhaps so. ( To Mrs. Dar- 

viLLE.) Ah ! maman, il est ville.) Ah ! mamma, it is time 

temps de nous retirer. Je suis to go. I am so tired, 
horriblement fatigue e. 

Mme. Darville, Mrs. Darville. 

Oui, mon enfant; je suis Yes, darling; I am ready, 

pr^te. Et Charles? Le voi- Where is Charles ? Here he is 

la avec Miss Howard. Quelle fi- with Miss Howard. What a 

gure gracieuse elle a cette jeune sweet face that young girl has ! 

fiile! Charles, mon fils, je re- Charles, my son, I regret depri- 

grette d'interrompre ton agrea- ving you of your agreeable con- 

ble entretien, mais ta soeur est versation with this lady, but 

souflfrante. your sister is not well. 

M. DE Forlis. M. de Forlis. 

Je crains que le petit acci» I fear the slight accident 



208 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PABIS. 



dent que mademoiselle a eu ce which Miss Darville met with 

soir, ne Fait un pen emue. Per- this evening, has affected her 

mettez-moi de vous offrir mon spirits. Allow me to offer you 

bras, madame. my arm, madam. 

Fanny (has a Marie). Fanny (whispering to Marie). 

Marie, Marie, ce secret de Marie, Marie, tell me that 

Tautre soir. secret you alluded to the other 

evening. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je vous le dirai avant long- I will, before long. Good- 
temps. Bonsoir, chere. (Tout evening, dear. [The company 
le monde se retire) retires.) 



•-♦<« 



CHAPITRE XXI. 

Mme. Darville.— -Marie. — Suzette. 
■— Oharles. — George. — Le Ge- 

KHRAL BeRTBAND. ^BoNCHAMP. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Mrs. Darville. — Marie. — Suzette. 
— Charles. — George. — General 

BeRTRAND. ^BONCHAMP. 



Mme. Darville. 
Ma fille n'est pas rentree, Su* 



zette? 



Mrs. Darville. 

Has my daughter come 
home, Suzette ? 



Suzette. 

Non, madame. Mademoiselle 
est chez Mme. de Parnes de- 
puis une heure. II va etre qua- 
tre heures bientot. 



Suzette, 

No, ma'am. Miss Marie has 
been at Mme. de Parnes' since 
one o*clock. It is now nearly 
four o'clock. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



209 



Mme. Darville. 

J'ai promis a sa tante qu'elle 
passerait une partie de la jour- 
nee avec elle. Depuis le depart 
de Mme. de Montreuil, sa mere 
est si seule et si triste. Et Mar- 
guerite Florere, Suzette, vous 
^tes-vous occupee d'elle ? 



Mrs. Darville. 

I promised her aunt, that she 
should spend part of the day 
with her. Since Mme. de Mon- 
treuil has left, her mother is so 
lonely, and so sad. And Mar- 
garet Florere, Suzette, have you 
seen about her ? 



Suzette. 
Oh ! oui, madame, et j'ai re- 



Oh! 



Suzette. 
yes, ma'am, and I re- 



grette que vous ne fussiez pas gretted your not being present, 
la, pour jouir du bonheur de to enjoy the satisfaction of 
ces braves gens. those good people. 



Mme. Darville. 
Sont-ils partis ce matin? 



Mrs. Darville. 

Did they start this morning ? 
Avez-vous remis a Marguerite la And did you give Margaret the 
bourse que je vous avals don- purse I sent her ? and that let- 
nee ? et cette lettre pour Cle- ter for Clemence ? 
mence? 



Suzette. 

Oui, madame. J'ai mis les 
voyageurs dans le wagon. Mon- 
sieur Albert est beaucoup 
mieux ! quoiqu'encore bien mai- 
gre, et parfois un peu extraor- 
dinaire. Par exemple, si I'air 
de Vogerolles et la bonne chere 
du chateau ne I'engraissent pas, 
la science du docteur n'y fera 
rien. 



Suzette. 

Yes, ma'am. I saw the trav- 
ellers get into the cars. Mr. Al- 
bert is much better, although 
still thin and somewhat odd at 
times. "Well, if the pure air of 
Vogerolles and the good fare at 
the chateau do not restore 
him, all the doctor's science 
will be of no avail. 



210 COMMENT ON PAKLE A PARIS. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J^ai confiance dans les petits I have great faith in mild 

moyens. C'est un vrai bon- means. It is a real comfort for 

heur de savoir ces pauvres gens me to know these poor people 

a Tabri de la misere. Avez-vous are secured against want. Did 

porte aussi les cent. francs a la you take those hundred francs 

soeur Therese pour 'son ecole ; to Sister Theresa for her school ; 

et ce paquet de vetements a la and that parcel of clothes to 

femme du porteur d'eau 2 the wife of the water-carrier ? 

SUZETTE. SUZETTE. 

Oui, madame ; et je dois al- Yes, ma'am ; and to-morrow 

ler demain porter de i'ouvrage I will take some work to kind 

a cette bonne Madame Rabot, Mrs. Eabot, who has been so 

qui a ete si excellente pour devoted to Margaret. She 

Marguerite. Elle a pi cure a cried bitterly this morning, 

chaudes larmes ce matin, en les when they parted. Oh ! I was 

quittant. Ah! Seigneur, j'allais going to forget two notes, 

oublier que Bonchamp m'a re- which Bonchamp gave me just 

mis tout a Theure deux billets now for you, ma'am, 
pour madame. 

Mme. Darville, Mrs. Darville. 

C'est bien, mon enfant. Yous Yery well,, Suzette. You can 

pouvez aller attendre ma fille go to my room and wait for my 

dans ma chambre. Finissez ces daughter. Finish those two 

deux robes pour la petite du con- dresses for the porter's little girl, 
cierge. 

Suzette. Suzette. 

Oui, madame. [Elle sort) Yes, ma'am. [She leaves tlie 

room) 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



211 



Mme. Darville (lisant). 

Ah ! mon Dieu I — et 1' autre. 
Helas! je m'y attendais. {A 
Marie qui entre.) Ah ! mon en- 
fant, te voila. 



Marie. 

Oiii, chere mere. Je viens 
de quitter ma pauvre tante; 
elle a bien pleure d'abord ; elle 
dit que Laure kii fait faute d'une 
maniere aflfreuse. La maison est 
vide sans elle ; et cependant 
ma tante se plaint de sa fille, 
de sa raideur, de son indiffe- 
rence. C'est une sino-uliere na- 
ture que la sienne 1 mais elle a 
bien bon coeur. Elle m'a com- 
blee de caresses. J'ai promis 
d'aller la voir demain. Mais, 
mam an, qu'as-tu done ; as-tu 
rcQu quelque mauvaise nou- 
velle ? Je t'ai laissee si con- 
tente, tout occupee du bonheur 
de cette pauvre Marguerite Flo- 
rere. 



Mrs. Darville (i^eading the 
letters.) 

Oh ! heavens ! — and the 
other. Alas ! I expected this. 
(Jb Marie as she enters the 
room.) Ah ! my daughter, is it 
you? 

Marie. 

Yes, mother. I have just left 
poor aunt. At first she wept a 
great deal ; she says she misses 
Laura terribly. The house ap- 
pears empty without her ; and, 
still, aunt complains of her 
daughter — of her being so cold, 
so indifferent. What a strange 
nature hers is ! but she has an 
excellent heart, and overwhelm- 
ed me with caresses. I promised 
to go there to-morrow. But, 
mother, what is the matter 
with you; have you received 
any bad news ? I left you in 
such excellent spirits, fall of 
Margaret Florere's happiness. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Je viens de recevoir deux let- I have just received two letters, 

tres qui me preoccupent d'une which preoccupy me painful- 

maniere penible. Tiens, voila ly. Here is a note from George, 

un billet de George, dans lequel in which he says that he will 



212 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

il me dit qu'il part ce soir a leave Paris this evening at five ; 

cinq heures; des affaires impor- some business of importance re- 

tantes le rappellent a Tours ; il quires his presence at Tours. He 

viendra prendre nos commis- will call for our commissions, 
sions. 

Marie. Marie. 

Mais pourquoi ce depart si But why this hasty depart- 
prompt ? George n'est plus le ure ? George's feelings towards 
meme avec nous, maman. Au us are no longer the same, 
mariage de Laure, il m'a a peine mamma. At Laura's wedding, 
adresse la parole. he scarcely spoke to me. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Voici une autre lettre, qui te Here is another letter, which 

I'expliquera peut-etre. Marie, will perhaps explain his conduct, 

mon enfant, M. de Forlis te de- Marie, my child, M. de Forlis 

mande en mariage. offers himself to you. 

Marie. Marie. 

Ah! monDieu! {Elle cache O heavens! (^She hides her 

sa tHe sur Vepaule de sa mere,) face on her mother's shoulder.) 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Pourquoi cette exclamation, "Why that exclamation, which 
qui exprime mal ce que tu does not express your true feel- 
eprouves, mon enfant? Necrains ings, my daughter? Do not 
pas de m'affiiger, en avouant feartogivemepain, by acknowl- 
que ce que tu apprends te fait edging that this proposal is 
plaisir. Je ne te cache pas, que agreeable to you. I cannot de- 
mon coeur avait desire une ny, that my heart had desired 
autre alliance pour toi ; mais en- another alliance for you ; but 
fin ! j'ai pris toutes les informa- it matters not ! I have made 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



213 



tions possibles sur M. de Foiiis ; 
il est diofue de toi, sous tous les 
rapports. Sa reputation est par- 
faite ; sa naissance, son rang . . . 
Tu pleures, mon ange, lorsque 
je donne mon consentement au 
voeu le plus cher de ton coeur ? 
Marie, Marie, reponds-moi ; tu 
me desoles. 



all possible inquiries about M. 
de Forlis ; he is worthy of you 
in every respect. His reputation 
is perfect ; his birth, rank. . . You 
weep, darling, when I consent 
to your realizing your fondest 
wish. Marie, Marie, answer 
me ; you grieve me, dearest. 



Marie. Marie. 

Oh ! maman, je suis si cou- Oh ! mother, I am so guilty, 

pable, si coupable ; je vous ai so very guilty. I have deceived 

trompee ; j'ai trompe George ; you ; I have deceived George ; 

et Grand Dieu ! je me trompais and, alas ! I was deceiving my- 

moi-meme. self. 



Mme. Darville. 

Je ne te comprends pas, mon 
enfant. Tu n'as trompe per- 
sonne ; nous nous attendions 
tous a ce qui arrive. Allons, 
seche tes larmes ; je vais repon- 
dre a M. de Forlis que sa de- 
mande nous honore, et que . . . 



Mrs. Darville. 

I do not understand you. 
You have deceived no one ; we 
all expected this. Come, dry up 
your tears ; I will write to M. 
de Forlis, that we feel honored 
by his offer, and that . . . 



Marie (vivement), 

Maman, maman ! vous si ten- 
dre et si bonne, vous paraissez 
jouir de mes angoisses. Ce n'est 
pas lui ; ce n'est pas M. de 
Forlis que j'aime ; c'est — c'est 
— George. 



Marie (hastily/). 

Mother, mother ! yon who 
are always so kind, so affection- 
ate, you seem to enjoy tortur- 
ing me. It is not him ; it is not 
M. de Forlis whom 1 love ; it 
is — it is — George. 



214 COMMENT OX PAKLE A PARIS. 

Mme. Darville {avec emotion). Mrs. Darville (icith emotion), 

Explique-toi, ma fiUe, car je Do explain all this to me, 

n'y comprends plus rien. De- my child, I cannot understand 

puis quinze jours, tu re9ois les it. For the last two weeks, you 

attentions de M. de Forlis, et have been receiving the atten- 

c'est a peine si tu as temoigne tions of M. de Forlis, and have 

de I'amitie a George ; et au scarcely shown any friendship 

moment ou le marquis te de- for George ; and now, when 

mande ta main, tu me dis que the marquis offers himself, you 

tu aimes M. Dalbret ! tell me that you love Mr. Dal- 

bret ! 

Marie (rougissant), Marie (blushing). 

Oh ! ma mere, Dieu seul. Oh ! mother, God alone, 

pent connaitre ce qui se passe knows the struggle which has 

en moi, depuis quelque temps ; taken place in my inward self 

entre mon coeur et cette ter- for some time past; between 

rible ambition qui me devore. my heart and that terrific am- 

Le coeur etait vaincu; j'avais bition which consumed me. 

renonceaureve dema jeunesse; The heart was conquered; I 

lorsque, I'autre soir, chez ma had given up the dream of my 

tante, un mot de George — youth ; when, a few nights ago 

mot d'une amertume, d'une se- at my aunt's, one word spoken 

verite affreuse — m'a fait ren- by George — a word full of bit^ 

trer en moi-meme. C'est Dieu, terness and awful severity — re- 

c'est le ciel, qui m'a sauvee ! called me to my former self. It 

J'alJaisrenoncera I'affection de w^as Providence, my Heavenly 

mon enfance, detoutemon exis- Father, who saved me ! I was 

tence ; j'allais le sacrifier a going to renounce the true love 

un reve d'ambition et d'orgueil. of my childhood, of my w^hole 

Mais George — pourra-t-il jamais life. I was going to sacrifice it 

me pardonner ma conduite ? to pride and ambition. But will 

Oh ! mon Dieu, comma je suis George ever forgive me ? Oh ! 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



215 



malheureuse ! [Elle cache sa how wretched I am! {She 
tete dans ses mains et recom- hides her face in her hands and 



mence a pleurer,) 

Mme. Dakville. 

Singulier destin ! 

BoNCHAMP (annongant). 
Monsieur Dalbret. 



sobs.) 



Mrs. Darville. 

Strange indeed ! 

Bonchamp (announcing), 
Mr. Dalbret. 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

All ! George, vous arrivez Ah ! George, you have come 
bien a propos. just in time. 



George (tristement), 

Je viens vous faire mes 
adieux, madame, et prendre 
vos commissions pour Tours. 
Mais vous pleurez, Mademoi- 
selle Marie ! Que signifient ces 
larmes ? Vous est-il arrive quel- 
que malheur, madame ? 



George {sadly). 

I come to bid you farewell, 
and take charge of your com- 
missions for Tours. What ! 
weeping, Miss Marie ? What 
can have caused those tears? 
Have you met with any mis- 
fortune, dear madam ? 



Mme. Darville. * Mrs. Darville. 

Vous allez en juger. D'abord, You will judge of that your- 

permettez-moi de vous annon- self. First, as you are one of our 

cer, comme a un de nos meil- best friends, allow me to an- 

leurs amis, le mariage de ma nounce to you my daughter's 

fille. engagement. 

George (avec emotion). George (with emotion). 

Yraiment, madame ! Rece- Indeed ! Receive my con- 

vez toutes mes felicitations, gratulations. Miss Darville is 



216 - COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 

Mademoiselle connait trop mes too well aware of my devotion 

sentiments devoues pour ne pas towards her, to doubt the sin- 

croire que je serai toujours cere interest which I take in 

heureux de ce qui pent contri- all that can contribute to her 

buer a son bonheur. happiness. 

Mme. Darville (souriant). Mrs. Darville {smiling). 

II me semble que vous n'e- Methinks, George, you have 

tes guere curieux, George ; car very little curiosity ; you did 

vous ne m'avez pas permis d'a- not even allow me to finish my 

chever ma phrase. J'allais vous sentence. I was going to say, 

dire que j 'avals le plaisir de that I had the pleasure of an- 

vous annoncer le mariage de nouncing to you, my daughter's 

ma fiUe — avec — M. — Dalbret. engagement — with — Mr. — Dal- 

bret. 

George {pdlissant). George (turning pale). 

Quelle cruelle plaisanterie, How cruel in you, madam, 

madame ! Car malgre mon si- to trifle thus with my feelings ! 

lence, vous avez du voir com- Notwithstanding my silence, 

bien Marie m'etait chere. II you must have known how 

eut ete plus genereux a vous, dear Marie was to me. It would 

madame, de m' annoncer son have been kinder on your part, 

mariage avec M. de Forhs, lors- to have announced her engage- 

que je vous aurais quittee. Loin ment with . M. de Forhs, when 

de tout cet entourage, qui m'est I had left you. Away from you 

si precieux, j'aurais eu la force all, whom I love so dearly, I 

de recevoir une pareille nou- could have heard this piece of 

velle. intelligence with fortitude. 

Mme. Darville (riant), Mrs. Darville (laughing). 

Allons, nous ne sortons pas Well ! wonders will never 

des miracles. George, mon cease. George, my friend, my 



FKENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



217 



fils, je ne vous 
trompe nullement. A moins 
que vous n'ayez une autre af- 
fection, Marie vous ofFre son 
coeur et sa main. Allons, mon 
enfant, dis-le-lui toi-meme ; il 
est d'une incredulite desespe- 
rante. 

George. {II regarde Marie 
avec incertitude^ un melange 
d'espoir et de crainte.) 

Marie, est-ce un reve? Ee- 
pondez-moi, de grace. Votre 
mere ne me trompe-t-elle pas ? 
Un bonheur semblable m'est-il 
reserve ? 

Marie {levant la tete et sou- 
riant ^ les larmes aux yeux), 

Oui, George, c'est vrai ; je 
n'ai jamais aime que vous. Un 
instant, Forgueil vous a dispute 
mon cceur ; mais il vous a tou- 
jours appartenu ; rien n'aurait 
pu vous le ravir. 



son, I do not deceive you. If 
your affections are not engaged, 
Marie offers you her heart and 
band. Come, my darling, do 
tell him yourself; he is so dis- 
tressingly skeptical. 



George. {He looks at Marie 
with hesitation^ and mingled 
hope and fear) 

Marie, is it a dream ? An- 
swer me, pray. Does not your 
mother deceive me? Can so 
much happiness be in store for 
me? 

Marie {looks up and smiles 
through her tears). 

Yes, George, it is all true; 
you have ever been my only 
love. For an instant, pride 
struggled to win my heart ; but 
it was yours ; no earthly power 
could steal it from you. 



Charles {entrant), 
Tiens, tiens, qu'est-ce 



Charles {entering the room). 

qui "Well, well, what is going on 

se passe ici ? des larmes — une here ? Tears — a great joy — 

grande joie — ma mere embras- mother kissing her daughter — 

sant sa fille — George ayant I'air George looking so happy. Ah ! 

si heureux. Ah ! j'entends, je I see, I understand. {Shak- 

comprends. {Serrant la main ing George's hand) George, 

10 



218 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

de George.) Mon frere, c'est a yours unto life and death. [He 

la vie a la mort. {II emhrasse kisses his sister.) Marie, you 

sa soeur.) Marie, tu me seras will become doubly dear to me^ 

doublement chere, etant la being the wife of my best 

femme de mon meilleur ami. friend. Well, now I am satis- 

Eh bien ! me voiia content. Et fied. And the general ? Naugh- 

le general ? vilains egoi'stes que ty selfish ones, no one thinks 

vous etes ! personne ne pense a of the poor old man, who will 

ce pauvre vieillard, qui va mou- surely die of joy. 
rir de joie, bien certainement. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

J'attends le general a diner ; I expect the general to din- 

il ne pent tarder a venir. ner ; he will soon be here. 

George, vous ne partirez pas ce George, you will not go to- 

soir? night? 

George. George. 

Cela me serait impossible, That would be impossible, 

madame. dear madam. 

Marie. Marie. 

Je vais reparer le desordre I must repair the disasters 
de ma toilette, en attendant le of my toilet, while dinner is 
diner. {Se regardant a la getting ready. {She looks in 
glace.) Oh ! comme je suis coif- the glass.) Oh ! what a head- 
fee ! dress ! 

Charles. Charles. 

Cela ne t'empeche pas d'etre That does not prevent your 

la plus jolie et la plus aimee being the prettiest and dearest 

des femmes — apres maman ce- of women — excepting, mamma, 

pendant. N'est-ce pas, George ? I mean. Is it not so, George ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



219 



Marie (se sauvant), Marie (running of). 

Je connais la reponse de I know George's answer. 
George. 

Charles. Charles. 

Marie, Marie, tu as peur de Marie, Marie, you are afraid 

rougir. of blushing. 

BoNCHAMP (annoncant), Bonchamp (announcing), 

Le General Bertrand. General Bertrand. 



Le General Bertrand (triste- 
ment), 

H fait un froid de loup ! je 
suis gele. Quel vilain endroit 
que ce Paris! All! pardon,, 
madame. Comment supportez- 
vous ce temps affreux ? Tiens, 
George, te voila encore ici ? 
Je te croyais depuis une demi- 
lieure sur la route de Tours. 

George. 

J'ai renonce a mon projet 
pour aujourd'hui ; je n'ai pu 
refuser Tinvitation de Mme. 
Darville a diner ; je savais que 
vous deviez vous trouver ici a 
six heures. 



General Bertrand (sadly). 

It is awfully cold! I am 
frozen. What a horrid place 
this Paris is ! Ah ! excuse me, 
madam. How do you bear this 
disagTceable weather? What, 
George, you still here ? I 
thought you had been, for the 
last half hour, on the road to 
Tours. 

George. 

I have given up going to- 
day ; I could not refuse Mrs. 
Darville's invitation to dine 
with her, and I knew you would 
be here at six o'clock. 



Le G6n6ral Bertrand. Ill se r^ -o / rr ^ 7 

^ General Bertrand. iHe takes 

met dans un fauteuil au coin , . ^7 /. \ 

^ , ^ "^ an armchair, near the fire,) 

dufeu,) ' "^ ^ 

Cependant, mon ami, tu m'a- But, George, you had told 



220 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PARIS. 



vais dit que des aflfaires impor- me, that important business 
tantes te rappelaient a Tours, required your presence in Tours. 
Comment se fait-il ? How is it ? 



Charles. 

Bonsoir, general ; vous nV 
vez pas daigne faire attention 
a moi. 

Le GijNERAL BeRTRAND. 

Pardon, Charles. J'etais pre- 
occupe; je suis vexe, ennuye. 
Mon tailleur m'a fait un habit 
trop serre; mon bottler est 
d'une inexactitude : enfin tout 
me tourmente dans ce Paris. 
II faut que je m'en aille, j'en 
suis malade. 

Mme. Darville. 

Vraiment, general ? Je suis 
desolee de cela ; car j'esperais 
vous faire plaisir ce soir, en 
vous annonpant une bonne nou- 
velle. 

Le GenI:ral Bertrand. 

A moi, madame ? Je suis fa- 
tigue de nouvelles. Pardon, si 
je suis un peu vif, mais le fait 
est que — que — 

Charles. 

Aliens, general ; c'est assez 
longtemps vous tourmenter. 



Charles. 

Good-evening, general; you 
have not deigned to honor me 
with your notice. 

General Bertrand. 

Excuse me, Charles. I was 
preoccupied. I am worried, 
annoyed. My tailor has made 
me a coat which is too tight ; 
my boot-maker is never punc- 
tual : in short, every thing an- 
noys me in Paris. I must go 
home, I am sick of it. 

Mrs. Darville. 

Indeed, general ? I am sorry 
to hear it ; for I was in hopes 
to give you some pleasure this 
evening, by announcing a good 
piece of news to you. 

General Bertrand. 

To me, ma'am ? I am tired 
of news. Excuse my being so 
quick, but the fact is that — 
that — 

Charles. 

Come, come, general ; we 
have worried you long enough. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



221 



George, annonce done la nou- 
velle a ton oncle. Tu n'oses 
pas ? Eh bien ! general ; votre 
petite amie, Marie Darville, 
doit epoiiser dans deux mois, 
au chateau de Yogerolles, un 
charmant gargon — qui ne voiis 
est pas inconnu. 

Le G^Ni^RAL Bertrand (sb U- 
vant precipitamment), 

Quoi ! quoi ! que dites-vous 
la ? deja fait ? Ah ! Seigneur ! 
je m'en doutais. J'avais un 
pressentiment de malheur -en 
venant ici. 



George, do tell your uncle the 
news. You dare not ? Well, 
general ; your little friend, Marie 
Darville, is going to marry in 
two months, at the chateau de 
Vogerolles, a fine fellow — who 
is not unknown to you. 



General Bertrahd ( rising 
hastily). 

What ! what do you mean ? 
already arranged ? Oh ! I sus- 
pected it. As I was coming 
here, I felt a presentiment of 
evil. 



Charles. Charles. 

Eh bien ! general ; votre pres- Well, general; your presen- 

sentiment vous a trompe ; car timent has deceived you. It is 

c'est le bonheur le plus gra- the most joyful, the most agree- 

cieux, la plus charmante de able of all happy tidings, that 

toutes les felicites, qui vous awaits you. 
tend les bras. 

George. George. 

Oui, mon oncle. Marie est a Yes, uncle. Marie is mine — 

moi — ma femme — votre niece, my wife — your niece. 

Le G^n^ral Bertrand. General Bertrand. 

Allons, voyons ; suis-je fou ? What ! am I deranged ? Are 

Yous moquez-vous de moi ? you trifling with me ? Mrs. 

Madame Darville, vous la bon- Darville, you, who are kindness 

te-meme, prenez pitie de moi. itself, do take pity on me. 



222 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



Marie (se jetant dans les bras Marie {throwing herself into 

du vieillard), the old gentleman! s arms), 

Mon oncle ! mon ami ! Uncle ! dear friend ! 

Le General Bertrand. General Bertrand. 

Ah ! Heureusement que la All ! Fortunately, one can- 

joie ne tue pas. not die of joy. 



CHAPITRE XXII. CHAPTER XXII. 

Le Chateau de Yogerolles. The Chateau de Vogerolles. 

( CPest tm chateau, style Louis XIV, {It is a castle, in the Louis XIV, 

an eminence^ 



situe sur mi plateau qui domine 
la vallee c?e * * *. Un pare a Van- 
glaiae, des jardins magnijiques, 
entorarent cette residence. Tout est 
tenu avec un soin extreme.) 



style, situated on 
which commands a view of the 
valley o/" * * *. An English park 
and splendid grounds surround 
this residence. Every thing is 
kept in the highest order.) 



SuzETTE. — Marguerite. 



SUZETTE. IMaRGARET. 



( Un petit salon meuble avec ele- 
gance ; de grandes fenetres 
descendant jusqijC a terre^ s'ou- 
vrent sur une terrasse, d'^ou 
Von apercoit la grande ave- 
nue du chateau, Sur une 
table, beaucoup d^objets d^art; 
pres de la, un petit meuble 



{A small parlor, elegantly fur- 
nished ; large windows, ex- 
tending to the floor, open 
up)on a terrace, from which 
may be seen the principal 
avenue leading to the castle. 
Upon a table, are various 
works of art; near them, 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 223 

en Boule cantenant des den- stands a small cabinet in 
telles, caclmnires^ bijoux^ ve- Boule containing laces, cash- 
lours, etc., etc, la corbeille de meres, jewels, velvet, etc, etc, 
Mademoiselle Darville,) Miss Darville^s wedding- 

gifts,) 



SUZETTE, 

Oui, Madame Marguerite, 
c'est une vraie joie pour moi, 
de me retrouver a Vogerolles. 
Depuis huit jours, que nous 
sommes de retour, je ne me 
lasse pas de me rejouir. Et 
vous ? II me semble que vous 
avez bien profite du bon air, 
du repos, de ce delicieux en- 
droit ; vous avez rajeuni de dix 
ans. 

Marguerite. 

Le bonbeur est le meilleur 
de tous les medecins, ma petite 
Suzette. Depuis que mon fils 
se porte bien et qu'il a une oc- 
cupation honorable, il me sem- 
ble en effet que j'ai vingt ans. 



Suzette. 

Madame m'a dit, que M. 
Taurin avait declare que votre 
fils aurait la poitrine attaquee, 
s'il persistait a cultiver la pein- 
ture ; et alors M. George, qui 
est la bonte-meme, lui a trouve 



Suzette. 

Yes, Mrs. Margaret, I am 
truly rejoiced to get back to 
Vogerolles. We have been here 
a week, and I have not ceased 
to congratulate myself. And 
you ? Methinks you have de- 
rived considerable benefit from 
the good air and quietude of 
this sweet spot ; you really look 
ten years younger. 

Margaret. 

Happiness is the best physi- 
cian, Suzette. Since my son has 
been well and has found an 
honorable occupation, I feel in- 
deed as though I had returned 
to the days of my youth. 

Suzette. 

I heard from madame, that 
Mr. Taurin had said your son 
would become consumptive, if 
he continued to paint ; and 
then Mr. George, who is kind- 
ness personified, procured a sit- 



224 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 

une place de commis a Tours, uation for him as clerk at Tours. 

Yous voila tout pres de lui et ISTow you are living near him. 

pour longtemps, car madame and for some time probably, 

n'est pas de celles qui aiment formadameisnot of thechange- 

a changer, et on n'a jamais en- able kind, and one never feels 

vie de quitter cette chere mai- like leaving that good mistress, 
tresse. 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Oh ! je m'estimerais bien Oh I I would consider my- 

heureuse, si je pouvais la servir self fortunate, if I could wait 

toujours sans remuneration ; upon her for ever without 

car je lui dois tout : la sante, remuneration, for I owe her 

la vie de mon fils. Dieu se every blessing I enjoy : the 

chargera, j'espere, d'acquitter health, the life of my boy. God, 

ma dette. Mais depuis votre I trust, will acquit my debt of 

arrivee, mon enfant, vous avez gratitude. But since your ar- 

eu tant a faire ici, tant de rival here, dear child, you have 

monde a voir au village, que had so much to do, so many 

c'est a peine si j'ai pu causer persons to see in the village, 

un peu avec vous. Dites-moi, that I have scarcely been able 

comment avez-vous passe votre to have a chat with you. Tell 

temps a Paris depuis mon de- me how you spent your time 

part ? car vous y etes restee six in Paris after I left, for you 

semaines apres moi. were there six weeks. 

SUZETTE. SUZETTE. 

Oh ! assez tranquillement. Well, rather quietly. You 

Vous savez que je vous parlais know, I often told you about 

souvent de Mademoiselle Ma- Miss Marie's being so altered, so 

rie ; je vous disais combien elle sad and dull; she whom I had al- 

6tait changee, triste, morose ; ways seen as lively as a cricket, 

elle, toujours gaie comme pin- Well, since the day you left, 

son. Eh bien ! depuis le jour she seemed to recover her spir- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



225 



de voire depart, elle est rede- its, and went out constantly 

venue toute joyeuse, sortant with madame, Mr. Charles, Mr. 

tous les jours avec madame, M. George ; I could not account 

Charles, M. George ; je ne sa- for this happy change. At last, 

vais comment expliquer cet about two weeks ago, madame 

heureux changement. Enfin, il told me that Miss Marie was go- 

y a quinze jours a peu pres, ing to marry Mr. Dalbret. Noth- 

madame m'a dit que made- ing could have given me more 

moiselle allait epouser M. Dal- pleasure, as you may suppose ; 

bret. Eien ne pouvait me faire but it appears that the satisfac- 

plus de plaisir, comme vous tion I felt, was not general. 

pouvez le croire ; mais il parait That very day, madame sent me 

que tout le monde ne pensait with a note to Mme. de Parnes. 



pas comme moi. Ce jour-la, 
madame m'envoya porter un 
billet a Mme. de Parnes. J'ar- 
rive a Photel, Justine me fait 
monter au boudoir de madame. 
Elle faisait de la tapisserie; 
Mme. de Montreuil, etendue sur 
une causeuse, tenait un livre 
en baillant. Je remets mon 
billet et j'attends une reponse. 
Mme. de Parnes ouvre le 
billet et s'ecrie : " Est-il possi- 
ble ! Ma soeur est foUe decide- 



When I arrived at the hotel, 
Justine took me into madame's 
boudoir. She was embroider- 
ing; Mme. de Montreuil was 
lounging on a sofa, holding a 
book and gaping. I dehvered 
the note, and waited for an an- 
swer. Mme. de Parnes opened 
it and exclaimed : " Is it pos- 
sible ! My sister must be de- 
mented ! What ! reject the 
offer of the Marquis de Forlis 
a month ago, to give her 
ment I Refuser le Marquis de daughter to a penniless lawyer 
Forlis il y a un mois, pour don- from Tours !" I did not stay 



ner sa fille a un pauvre avocat 
de Tours !" Je n'en entendis 
pas davantage, pensant bien 
que la noble dame en avait 
deja beaucoup trop dit devant 
moi. 



to hear any more, supposing 
that the noble lady had already 
spoken her mind too plainly 
before me. Finally, I believe 



there was a coolness between 
Bref, je crois qu'il y a eu the two families for some time ; 

10* 



226 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



brouille entre les deux families, 
pendant quelque temps; car 
madame fut bien triste, made- 
moiselle en pleura, et on n'alla 
plus a I'hotel de Parnes. Enfin, 
il y a huit jours, tout cela s'ar- 
rangea je pense, car on attend 
aujourd'hui ces dames, ainsi 
que la famille Dorimont et 
Mme. de Brevannes. Tous les 
appartements sont prets, et ma- 
demoiselle se marie demain. 
J'en suis d'une joie ! 

Marquerite. 

Suzette, vous avez prononce 
tout a I'heure un nom qui me 
rappelle des souvenirs bien 
amers. Oh ! mon Dieu, que je 
vous remercie ! Car cette femme 
hautaine et cruelle qui m'a 
cbassee de chez elle, apres dix 
ans de service, c'etait la Mar- 
quise de Forlis. Quelle bene- 
diction, que notre jeune mai- 
Iresse ne soit pas tombee sous 
cette influence de malbeur. M. 
Gustave est meilleur que sa 
mere ; il a meme bon cceur ; 
mais il est d'une extravagance, 
d'une dissipation effrayante ! 
La dot de Mademoiselle Marie 
eut ete engloutie bien promp- 
tement dans ce goufFre avide. 



madame appeared quite un- 
happy, Miss Marie cried about 
it, and there was no more visit- 
ing at the Hotel de Parnes. At 
last, about a week ago, I sup- 
pose it was all arranged ; for 
those ladies, the Dorimont fam- 
ily, and Mme, de Brevannes 
are expected to-day. All the 
rooms are ready for them, and 
Miss Marie is to be married to- 
morrow. I am so delighted ! 



Margaret. 

Suzette, you mentioned just 
now a name, which recalls bit- 
ter recollections to my mind. 
O Lord, I thank thee! For 
that haughty and cruel woman 
who drove me away, after I 
had devoted ten years of my 
life to her service, was the Mar- 
chioness de Forlis. What a 
blessing, that our young lady 
should have been spared that 
evil influence ! Mr. Gustave 
is kinder than his mother; I 
even believe he has a heart: 
but he is so extravagant, so aw- 
fully dissipated ! Miss Darville's 
dower would soon have been 
squandered. But, Suzette, prom- 
ise me that you never will re- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 227 

Mais, Suzette, promettez-moi de peat one word of what I have 

ne jamais repeter un mot de ce just said. I should not have 

que je viens de vous dire. J'au- spoken of this, I should have 

rais dii me taire, refouler au fond concealed in the depths of my 

de mon coeur le sentiment d'a- heart, the bitterness which the 

mertume, que j'eprouve au sou- memory of Mme. de Forhs calls 

venir de Mme. de Forlis ; mais forth. But I could not refrain 

je n'ai pu maitriser une sensa- from expressing the infinite 

tion indicible de reconnaissance, gratitude which I feel at the 

en pensant que Mademoiselle thought of Miss Darville's hap- 

Darville avait echappe a un si py escape, 
grand malheur. 

Suzette. Suzette. 

Soyez tranquille, Madame You can trust me, Mrs. Mar- 
Marguerite ; je suivrai vos con- garet ; I will follow your ad- 
seils comme je suis ceux de vice, as I would follow that of 
madame, comme je suivrais our dear lady, of my own 
ceux d'une mere. Avez-vous mother. Have you seen Miss 
vu la corbeiile de mademoi- Marie's wedding presents ; the 
selle ? les magnifiques cadeaux beautiful things arrived yester- 
arrives hier de Paris ? Tenez, day from Paris ? Do look how 
voyez comme c'est beau ! Et magnificent they are ! .Can you 
dire, que Ton attache si peu imagine, that one should be so 
d'importance a ces belles cho- indifierent to all these wonder- 
ses ! Savez-vous ou est allee, ful things ? Do you know where 
celle a qui toutes ces merveilles the person they are intended 
sont destinees ? . for has gone ? 

Marguerite. Margaret. 

Non ; mais j'ai vu mademoi- No ; but I saw Miss Marie 

selle sortir avec M. George, il y go out, about an hour ago, with 

a une heure. Mr. George. 



228 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



SUZETTE. 

Eh bien ! vous connaissez 
la mere Claudine, la pauvre 
paralytique, qui habite cette 
petite chaumiere a Tentree du 
village? Elle a ete pendant 
longtemps la bonne de Made- 
moiselle Marie, qui a conserve 
pour elle beaucoup d'affection. 
Voila qu'hier, Claudine fait de- 
mander a madame de lui per- 
mettre de voir M. George, 
avant son mariage, comme elle 
ne pouvait venir a la noce; 
de sorte que ce matin, apres 
dejeuner, mademoiselle, ac- 
compagnee de son fiance, est 
allee faire une visite a la 
vieille Claudine, au lieu d'exa- 
miner ses cadeaux. Tenez, les 
voila justement qui reviennent 
la-bas, au bout de I'avenue. 
Attendez-vous votre fils au- 
jourd'hui, Madame Marguerite ? 

Marguerite. 

Oui, oui. M. Dalbret a de- 
mande un cong*e de deux jours 
pour lui. Quel bonheur d'em- 
brasser ce cber enfant ! Tenez, 
Suzette, voila la sonnette de 
madame. Je vais donner du 
linge d'office a Bonchamp. [El- 
les sortent) 



Suzette. 

Well! you know old Clau- 
dine, that poor paralytic wo- 
man, who lives in the little 
cottage at the entrance of the 
village? For many years she 
nursed Miss Marie, who has 
always been very fond of her. 
Yesterday, Claudine sent a mes- 
sage to madame, requesting that 
she might be allowed to see 
Mr. George, before the wed- 
ding, as she could not be pres- 
ent at it. So that this morning, 
after breakfast. Miss Marie 
started off with Mr. Dalbret, to 
visit old Claudine, instead of 
examining all her beautiful 
presents. Look, here they are, 
coming up the avenue. Do you 
expect your son to-day, Mrs. 
Margaret ? 



Margaret. 

Yes. Mr. Dalbret has ob- 
tained a leave of absence, of 
two days, for him. How delight- 
ed I shall be to see the dear 
boy ! Suzette, I hear madame's 
bell. I will go and give Bon- 
champ the house-linen. {They 
leave the room,) 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



229 



Marie. — George. — {enmite Mme. Marie. — George. — ( subsequently 
Dartille.— Charles.— BoNCHAMp). Mrs. Darville.— Charles.— Bon- 
champ). 



Marie. 

n est inutile, mon ami, que 
je vous remercie d'avoir bien 
voulu m'accompagner ce ma- 
tin. La satisfaction que vous a 
temoignee cette pauvre affligee, 
a du suflSsamment vous recom- 
penser. 



Marie. 

I need not thank you, George, 
for having accompanied me 
this morning. The heartfelt 
joy, which that poor creature 
expressed to you, must have 
rewarded you sufficiently. 



George. George. 

Une mission de charite, sous A charitable mission, inspired 

I'egide de votre affection, Ma- by your affection, Marie, could 

rie, ne pouvait que me faire but afford me true pleasure. 
un plaisir extreme. 



Marie. 

Je le crois, et je remercie le 
ciel, de trouver en I'ami de 
mon enfance, de ma vie entiere, 
cette sympathique charite, sans 
laquelle pour moi, I'existence 
aurait bien moins de char- 
mes. Je n'ai jamais compris le 
bonheur qu'on ne pouvait faire 
partager aux autres. De tons 
les heritages que je tiens de ma 
bonne mere, ce sentiment est 
celui que j'apprecie le plus. 



Marie. 

I believe you, and feel grate- 
ful to Divine Providence, for 
that sympathetic charity, which 
I find in the friend of my child- 
hood ; nay, of my whole life, 
and without which, I should be 
deprived of so much real satis- 
faction. I never could appre- 
ciate the joys which others 
could not partake of. Of 
all my dear mother has be- 
queathed to me, this feeling is 
what I most value. 



230 COMMENT ON PAELE 1 PARIS.^ 

George. George. 

Oui; j'ai ete vraiment heu- Yes; I was really happy 

reux ce matin, non-seulement this morning ; not only during 

pendant notre visite chez Clau- our visit to Claudine, but also 

dine, mais aussi en rencontrant when we met that merry set of 

cette troupe de jeunes filles que girls, who were walking with 

promenait la soeur Therese. La good Sister Theresa. The en- 

fondation de cette ecole est dowment of that school, is 

une des belles oeuvres de Mme. among the noblest of Mrs. 

Darville. Darville's charities. 

Marie. {JElle s'assied sur la Marie. (She sits down on a 

causeuse,) sofa,) 

George, arretons-nous un in- George, let us linger here a 

stant ici ; car dans une heure, few moments. In an hour, our 

nos amis de Paris arriveront, et Paris friends will arrive, and 

ensuite, je n'aurai pas un mo- after that, I shall not have one 

ment a moi, jusqu'apres la spare moment until the grand 

grande ceremonie de demain, ceremony takes place. See; 

Voyez, mon ami, comme la na- George, how beautiful nature 

ture est belle ; comme ce soleil appears ; how many charms are 

du printemps prete de charmes added to the flowers around 

a ces mille fleurs qui nous us, by the reflection of the sun ; 

entourent ; et la-bas, remarquez- and over there, do you notice 

vous sous ces grands maron- how far the sTiade extends be- 

niers, Tombre qui s'etend au neath those tall chestnut-trees ? 

loin ? George, notre existence George, our life to-day is beam- 

d'aujourd'hui est eclairee par ing with the glorious rays of 

le soleil du bonheur le plus true happiness ; so pure, so 

calme, le plus pur, que mortel calm, that man knows none be- 

puisse gouter. Mais il ne luira yond it. But, alas ! those rays 

pas toujours, helas 1 Le cha- of joy will not always shine 

grin — I'ombre de la vie — vien- upon us ! Grief, that dismal 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



231 



dra bien sur faire fond au 
tableau; et alors, renoncerons- 
noiis a Pespoir qui remplit no- 
tre ame aiijoiird'hui ? Non, 
mon ami, il faut line ombre a 
I'existence ; sans elle, le ciel 
nous serait interdit. L'ame doit 
se purifier au creuset de I'e- 
preuve, pour meriter cette di- 
vine recompense que le Sauveur 
nous a conquise. George, je 
vois une larme — et un sourire. 
Ma perspicacite de femme, de 
femme qui aime, pent vous ex- 
pliquer ce qui produit cette 
larme et ce sourire. Vous com- 
prenez, vous sentez ce que je 
viens de vous dire, mais ma 
jeunesse, mon inexperience, ap- 
puient mal mes paroles. Je 
n'ai pas eprouve le malheur, 
mais mon ame sensible a tou- 
jours pris une part bien vive a 
celui de mes semblables. Mon 
education, dirigee par la meil- 
leure des meres, eut ete bien 
incomplete, si elle ne m'avait 
enseignee a apprecier le bon- 
heur, et a ne pas fuir le chagrin. 



cloud of our fate, will one day 
darken the picture ; and then, 
shall we give up the hope 
which now fills our hearts? 
No, no, dearest, there must be 
a dark shade in our life ; with- 
out it. Heaven would be closed 
aofainst us. Our souls must be 
purified by trial, to be worthy 
of that holy reward which the 
Saviour has w^on for us. George, 
I see a tear — and a smile. With 
woman's usual penetration, ren- 
dered more keen by affection, I 
can easily account for both smile 
and tear. You feel the truth of 
what I have just said, but my 
youth and inexperience belie 
my words. I have never known 
sorrow myself, but my sensitive 
heart has always shared the 
sufi"erings of my fellow-beings. 
My education, directed by the 
best of mothers, would have 
been very imperfect, had it not 
prepared me for the enjoyment 
of happiness, and the endurance 
of pain. 



George. George, 

Vous etes un ange, Marie; You are an angel, Marie; 

sous votre influence, je vais through your influence, I shall 

devenir bien pieux, bien bon. become very pious, very good. 



232 



COMMENT ON PAELE 1 PAHlg. 



Marie [riant), 

II n'y a pas beaucoup a faire, 
monsieur. Alt 1 j'oubliais de 
vous dire que maman attend 
positivement Mme. de Brevan- 
nes et Fanny. Ce pauvre 
Charles va etre bien heureux ! 
Maman m'a confie, qu'il etait 
convenu entre elle et Mme. de 
Brevannes, que le mariage se 
ferait dans deux ans ; ils sont 
tons les deux si jeunes ! Je 
suis toute disposee a accueillir 
avec tendresse, cette gentille 
petite soeur qui nous vient de 
si loin — au-dela du grand ocean 
— si bonne, si gracieuse ! Mais 
voyez comme je suis ingrate; 
j'allais- oublier de vous remer- 
cier, monsieur Textravagant, 
pour toutes ces belles cboses. 
J'avoue que j'en suis medio- 
crement satisfaite. 



Marie (laughing). 

There is very little room for 
improvement, sir. Ah ! I had 
forgotten to tell you, that 
mamma positively expects Mme. 
de Brevannes and Fanny. How 
delighted Charles will be ! 
Mamma told me that she and 
Mme. de Brevannes, had con- 
cluded that the marriage might 
take place in two years ; they 
are both so young ! I am quite 
ready to receive and love that 
sweet little sister, who comes to 
us from so far — beyond the 
great ocean — so good and so 
gracious ! But how ungrate- 
ful I am; it did not even 
occur to me to thank you, ex- 
travagant gentleman, for all 
these beautiful things. I must 
confess, that I am not exactly 
pleased. 



George. 

Pourquoi? C'est cQpendant 
Mme. Beaufort, qui a bien bon 
gout, qui a choisi tout cela ; et 
c'est mon oncle qui vous en 
donne la moitie. 



George. 

Why so? They were se- 
lected by Mrs. Beaufort, who 
is a good judge of those mat- 
ters; and half of them are 
presented to you by uncle. 



Marie. 
Ce bon general ! Oui, c'est 



Marie. 
How kind the general is! 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



233 



tres beau, c'est magnifique ; Yes, all this is beautiful, mag- 
mais me fallait-il tout ce luxe nificent ; but was this luxury- 
pour me prouver votre amour ? essential to prove your love ? 
George, votre fortune n'est pas Your means are very moderate, 
considerable ; cette corbeille est these gifts are entirely too fine, 
deraisonnablemcnt belle. 



George. 

Cette fois, je prouver ai a mon 
amie, qu'elle a tort. Nos ac- 
tions ne doivent pas etre faites 
seulement pour ceux que nous 
aimons, elles appartiennent au 
public. D'abord, je n'ai pas 
fait d'extravagances ; ensuite, ne 
fallait-il pas que Mademoiselle 
Darville, la riche heritiere, re- 
cut de son fiance un cadeau 
digne d'elle ? Afin que le monde, 
dont la malice est toujours en 
action, ne critiquat pas son al- 
liance avec le pauvre George 
Dalbret ! 



George. 

This time I can prove to my 
sweet friend, that she is wrong. 
Our actions should not be per- 
formed merely for the sake of 
those we love ; they belong to 
the public. I have not been ex- 
travagant, Marie ; besides, was 
it not essential that Miss Dar- 
ville, the wealthy heiress, should 
receive an offering worthy of 
her ? So that the world, whose 
malicious voice is ever ready, 
might not criticise her alliance 
with George Dalbret, the poor 
lawyer ! 



Marie. 



Marie. 



Vous avez raison, mon ami ; You are right, George ; al- 
toujours raison ; mais le monde ways right; but the world is 
n'a pas le sens commun. very silly. 



George. 



George. 



Je ne Taime pas assez pour I am not sufficiently fond 
le defendre. of it, to take its part. 



234: 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS* 



Marie {regardant par la fe- Marie. {She looks out of the 

nHre), window) 

Tenez, voici Albert Florere. See, here is Albert Florere. 

Comme il a Fair content ! How happy he loots ! 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Ah ! vous voila, mes enfants; Here you are, my children; 

il me semble que vous 6tes res- I thought you had been a long 

tes bien longtemps au village. time at the village. 



George. 

Oh ! madame, nous sommes 
de retour depuis une demi- 
heure. Marie a eu le temps de 
me faire un sermon en trois 
points. 

Marie. 

Voyez done I'ingrat ! C'est 
bon, monsieur, je ne vous con- 
fierai plus mes pensees poeti- 
ques. 

George. 

Vous voudriez done qu'il n'y 
eut que de I'ombre au tableau 
de ma vie ? 



George. 

Oh ! dear madam, we re- 
turned half-an-hour ago, Marie 
has already favored me with a 
sermon in three parts. 

Marie. 

How ungrateful ! Well, sir, 
in future I will not confide my 
poetical dreams to you. 

George. 

Would you condemn me to 
everlasting gloom ? 



Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Marie, as-tu examine toutes Marie, have you examined 

ces merveilles de I'art ? Cette all these works of art ? This 

pendule, ces coupes en vieux clock and vases of old Sevres 

Sevres ; cadeaux de M. de Mon- porcelain, which M. de Mon- 

treuil ? treuil has given you ? 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN EST PARIS. 



235 



Marie. 
Ce bon Alfred! 



J'ai une 



Marie. 
How kind in Alfred ! 



I am 



grande amitie pour lui, quoi- sincerely attached to him, al- 
qu'il me garde toujom's un pen thougli lie still entertains a 
de rancune. little ill-will towards me. 



MxME. Darville. 

Et ce delicieux petit meuble, 
souvenir de Mme. de Brevan- 
nes? Tu dois etre fiere de 
toutes ces attentions, mon en- 
fant. Mais il me semble, qu'il 
manque a cette collection un 
objet bien essentiel : Charles 
ne t'a pas encore fait son ca- 
deau. Le voici, il pourra nous 
expliquer ce mystere. 



Mrs. Darville. 

And this exquisite little piece 
of furniture, a gift from Mme. 
de Brevannes. You should be 
gratified, by all these testimo- 
nies of regard, dear child. But 
there is an essential article 
missing here : Charles has not 
yet made you his present. Here 
he is, rea,dy to explain this 
mystery. 



Charles (a deux domestiques 
qui apportent un tableau cou- 
vert d^une toile). 

Doucement, doucemeM; la, 
la; posez-le ici. Marie, voici 
mon cadeau de noce ; ma soeur 
cherie, puisse-t-il te rappeler 
toujours, une des plus belles 
actions de ta vie. 



Charles. (He directs tiuo ser- 
vants, who are carrying a 
painting covered tuith a cloth.) 

Softly, softly ; there, there ; 
put it down here. Marie, this 
is my wedding-gift to you. May 
it, dearest, ever recall one of 
the noblest actions of your life. 



Marie. (Mle court au tableau, Marie. [She runs to thep)aint- 
leve le voile, fait une excla- ing, raises the cloth, utters 
mation de joie et se jette dans an exclamation of joy, and 
les bras de son frere.) throios herself into her bro- 

ther'' s arms,) 



236 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

Charles, mon frere, tu m'as Charles, dearest brother, you 

devinee ; tu ne pouvais rien me have anticipated my fondest 

donner qui me fit autant de wish ; nothing could have been 

plaisir. more agreeable to me. 

^ /7/ ^ 7 ^ 2.7 \ George (uncovering the paint- 

George (decouvrant te tableau), ^ ^ i- 

ing). 

L'Ange Gardien ! Merci, The Guardian Angel ! A 

Charles ; je prends ma part du thousand thanks, Charles ; I 

cadeau, take my share of the gift. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Nous en jouirons tous. We will all enjoy it. 

BoNCHAMP, ^ BONCHAMP. 

Les voitures, que madame The carriages, which were 

avait envoyees a la station, sent to the depot, are coming 

arrivent par I'avenue. up the avenue. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Darville. 

Ce sont nos amis de Paris ; Our Paris friends have ar- 

allons les recevoir, mes enfants. rived ;» let us go and receive 

them, my children. 



FEENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAEIS. 



237 



CHAPITRE XXIII. 

Le Petit Salon, 



CHAPTER XXin. 

The Sitting-room. 



Fanny. — Coralie. — Berthe. — Ed- Fanny. — Coralie. — Bertha — Ed- 
Moifp. mund. 



(Fanny et Coralie sont assises (Fanny and Coralie are seat- 



sur une causeuse. Berthe 
et Edmond jouent aux vo- 
lants.) 

Coralie. 

Quel joli endroit! Comme 
on doit etre heureux ici ! 

Fanny. 

II faudrait etre bien difficile 
pour ne pas s'y plaire. Quelle 
charmante soiree nous avons 
eue hier ! Mme. Darville est 
si bonne musicienne ; et cette 
gentille amie de Marie, Mile, de 
Mesange, quelle admirable voix 
elle a. 

Edmond. 

Elle est tres jolie cette petite 
personne, parole d'honneur. 



ed on a sofa. Bertha and 
Edmund are playing battle- 
door and shuttle-cock.) 

Coralie. 

Wiiat a lovely spot this is ! 
How happy one must be here ! 

Fanny. 

Yes, indeed ; the most fas- 
tidious person could not deny 
that. And what an agreeable 
evening we had yesterday ! 
Mrs. Darville is such an ex- 
cellent musician, and Marie's 
charming friend, Mile, de Me- 
sange, sings so sweetly ! 

Edmund. 

That young girl is quite 
pretty, upon my word. 



238 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS. 



Berthe [riant). 

Voyez-vous ce bout d'homme, 
qui remarque les jolies femmes. 
(Mle compte) Quarante-cinq, 
quarante-six ; la, la ; encore 
un peu, et mon volant allait se 
loger dans la corniclie. Allons, 
monsieur I'admirateur du beau 
sexe, je suis fatiguee, extenuee, 
aMmee, comme dit Mme. de 
Montreuil. Ah ! ca, mesdemoi- 
selles, francbement, n'est-elle 
pas d'une affectation ridicule 
cette petite comtesse ? . 

CORALIE. 



Bertha (laughing). 

Just see that mite of a beau, 
wbo already notices pretty wo- 
men. [She cou7its) Forty-five, 
forty-six ; there, a little more 
and my shuttle-cock was lodged 
in the cornice. Come, young 
admirer of the fair sex, I am 
tired, exhausted^ worn out, as 
Mme. de Montreuil would say. 
Now, girls, do tell me, is not 
that young countess ridiculous- 
ly affected ? 



CORALIE. 



Chut ! Berthe, on pourrait Hush ! Bertha, you might 
t'entendre. be overheard. 



Fanny. 
Berthe a raison. 



Fanny. 
Bertha is right. 



Berthe [se car rant dans un 
fauteuil, imitant Laure). 

Alfred, mon ami, il est cruel 
a vous de me priver de mon 
eventail. Donnez-moi, de grace, 
ce flacon d'ether. [Mle rit.) 
Ah! ah! ah! 



Bertha [leaning back in an 
arm-chair, imitating Laura). 

Alfred, my dear, how cruel 
in you to deprive me of my 
fan ! Pray, give me that bot- 
tle of ether. [She laughs.) Ah ! 
ah! ah! 



CORALIE. CORALIE. 

Petite moqueuse ! [Edmond You satirical little puss ! 
continue a jouer tout seul.) [Edmund goes cm 'playing alone.) 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



239 



Berthe. 

Miss Fanny, je pense que 
vous avez vii toutes les toilettes 



pom- 



la noce, n'est-ce 



pas« 



Parlez-moi 
Marie. 



done de celle de 



Fanny. 

Mais vous ne jouirez plus de 
la surprise. Eh bien ! voyons ; 
je vais vous conter cela ; car 
nous venons de la voir Coralie 
et moi. Marie etait allee avec 
sa mere dans la grande salle 
d'attente, recevoir les fermiers 
de Mme. Darville, qui sont ve- 
nus lui offrir des fleurs et lui 
faire un compliment. 



Bertha. 

Miss Fanny, I suppose you 
have seen all the dresses for 
the wedding, have you not ? 
Do describe Marie's to me. 



Fanny. 

If 1 tell you, you will not 
enjoy the surprise. Well ! I 
can easily describe it, as Cora- 
lie and I have just seen it. 
Marie had gone with her mo- 
ther in the hall, to receive Mrs. 
Darville's farmers, who came 
to offer her some flowers and 
their congratulations. 



Berthe. 

Eh bien! la toilette de la 
mariee ? 



Bertha. 

Well, what about the bride's 
dress ? 



Fanny. 

Une robe en soie unie, gar- 
nie de volants reconverts en 
Angleterre ; un voile en Angle- 
terre et un simple chaperon en 
fleurs d'oranger; c'est deli- 
cieux ! Mme. de Baisieux lui 
a envoye plusieurs toilettes pour 
I'occasion, accompagnees d'un 
billet, tournele mieux du monde. 



Fanny. 

A plain silk, trimmed with 
flounces covered with point 
lace ; a lace veil and a simple 
wreath of orange blossoms ; it 
is exquisite ! Mme. de Bai- 
sieux sent her several dresses 
for the occasion, accompanied 
by a little note, written in very 
good style indeed. 



240 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Berthe. 

A la bonne heiire ; voila une 
comme je 
jolie 



toilette 
Sera-t-elle 



I'entends. 
cette chere 



Marie ! 
selle ? 



Et vous, mademoi- 



Fanny. 

Mile. Coralie, Mile, de Me- 
sange et moi, nous avons la 
meme toilette : nne robe de 
tulle illusion a six volants et 
une coiffure en boules de neige. 

Edmond. 

Mais cette toilette-la sera 
cliarmante,mesdemoiselles. Que 
de ravages vous allez faire dans 
les coeurs ! 

Berthe. 

Ce jeune aspirant qui fait de 
I'esprit ! 

Charles (entrant), 

Mesdemoiselles, il est neuf 
heures ; il me semble qu'il vous 
faudra bien deux heures pour 
faire votre toilette. 



Bertha. 

Well! that dress suits my 
fancy amazingly ; how sweetly 
Marie will look ! And what 
are you to wear, Miss Fanny ? 

Fanny, 

Miss Coralie, Mile, de Me- 
sange and I are to be dressed 
alike : a white illusion with six 
flounces, and a head-dress of 
snow-balls. 

Edmund. 

Why! that will be an ex- 
quisite toilet, young ladies. 
What havoc you will create 
among hearts ! 

Bertha. 

This young shoot of gallan- 
try is aiming at wit, methinks. 

Charles (entering the room). 

Young ladies, it is nine 
o'clock ; you will certainly be 
two hours dressing. 



Coralie. Coralie. 

M. Charles a raison. ( 0?^ Mr. Charles is right. (^Firing 

entend des coups de fusil,) Ah ! is heard,) Oh ! mercy ! what 

mon Dieu ! que signifient ces does that firing mean ? 
coups de fusil ? 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PAKIS. 241 

Edmond. Edmu:nd. 

Ce sont les fermiers qui les The farmers are firing, to cel- 

tirent, en honneur du mariage ebrate Marie's marriage. They 

de Marie. lis s'en vont tous are all going to have a dance 

danser au village et souper aux at the village, and then they 

frais de Mme. Darville. will sup at Mrs. Darville's ex- 
pense. 

Berthe. Bertha. 

Quand je me marierai, je When I get married, all joy- 

defendrai toute demonstration ful demonstrations containing 

dans laquelle il entrera de la powder, shall be prohibited, 
poudre. 

Charles, Charles. 

Edmond, faisons-nous une Edmund, shall we play a 

partie de billard, en attendant game at billiards until the re- 

rheure de la reception? Re- ception begins? Let us first 

conduisons d'abord ces demoi- escort these ladies to their 

selles a leur appartement. (Bas apartment. ( Whispering to Fan- 

d Fai^ny.) Yous trouverez chez ny.) You will find a bouquet 

vous, mademoiselle, un bouquet of camelias and violets in your 

de camelias et violettes, non room, not an anonymous one 

anonyme cette fois. this time. 

11 



242 



COMMENT ON PAKLE A PAKIS. 



CHAPITRE XXIV. 

Le Mariage. 
Le Grand Salon, 



Mme. Darville. — Marie. — Charles. 
— M. ET Mme. de Parnes. — Geor- 
ge Dalbret. — Le General Ber- 

TRAND. M. ET MmE. DE MoN- 

treuil. — Mme. de Brevannes. — 
Son Fils, — Fanny Howard. — M. 
ET Mme. Dorimont. — M. et Mme. 
Beaufort. — Leurs Enfants. — 
Mgr. UArcheveque de Tours. — 
Le Prefet. — Mme. Dayrigny. — 
Mlle. de Mesange. — Beaucoup de 
personnes de Tours, invitees. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Marriage. 
The Drawing-room, 



Mrs. Darville. — Marie.— Charles. 
— M. AND Mme. de Parnes. — 
George Dalbret. — General Ber- 
trand.— M. AND Mme. de Mon- 
treuil. — Mme. de Brevannes. — 
Her Son. — Fanny Howard. — Mr. 
AND Mrs. Dorimont. — Mr. and 
Mrs. Beaufort. — Their Children. 
— His Grace the Archbishop of 
Tours. — The Prefect. — Mrs. Da- 
vrigny. — Mlle. de Mesange. — 
And many guests frmn Tours. 



{La scene se passe dans un grand 
salon meuhU avec luxe ; des 
vases remplis de Jleurs sur 
differents meuhles, A droite, 
une grande porte conduisant 
a une chapelle, Mme. Dar- 
ville et Charles resolvent 
la societe,) 

BoNCHAMP (dnnoncant), 

M. le Prefet et Mme. Da- 
vrigny. 



[A large drawing-room elegant^ 
Ig furnished. Vases of flow- 
ers stand on various pieces, 
of furniture. On the right., 
is a large door leading into 
a chapel, Mrs. Darville 
and Charles receive the 
guests,) 

BoNCHAMP (announcing). 

The Prefect and Mrs. Da- 
vrigny. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



243 



Mme. Darville. 

Je suis bien heureiise de vous 
voir, madame. Veuillez vous 
asseoir sur ce fauteuil, aupres 
d'une de mes bonnes amies, 
Mme. Dorimont. Monsieur le 
Prefet, permettez-moi de vous 
presenter le General Bertrand ; 
mon fils ; M. de Parnea. 

Le Prefet. 

C'est un grand plaisir pour 
moi, madame, de faire con- 
naissance avec votre famille. 
J'aurais desire vous presenter 
mes bommages plus tot, mais 
des affaires importantes m'ont 
appele a Paris, quelques jours 
avant votre arrive e. 

(Le General Bertrand cause 
avec le Prefet ; cfautres per- 
soxines sont annoncees^ la con- 
versation devient generale.) 

Mme. de Parnes {a Laure). 

Eb bien! je crois que ma 
soeur a eu raison, apres tout, 
de donner sa fille a ce jeune 
bomme ; c'est un cbarmant 
gargon, rempli de moyens. M. 
Dorimont me dit qu'il s'est deja 
distingue au barreau, et person- 
nellement, je le trouve tres bien. 



Mrs. Darville. 

I am most bappy to see you. 
Pray, take tbis seat near Mrs. 
Dorimont, one of my best 
friends. Mr. Davrigny, allow 
me to introduce General Ber- 
trand to you ; my son ; M. de 
Parnes. 



The Prefect. 

It is gratifying to me, mad- 
am, to become acquainted witb 
*your family. I would bave 
presented my respects to you 
sooner, but some important 
matters called me to Paris, a 
few days before you arrived. 

(General Bertrand entertains 
the Prefect ; other guests 
are announced^ the conversa- 
tion becomes general) 

Mme. de Parnes {to Laura). 

Well ! after all, I tbink my 
sister was rigbt to consent to 
ber daughter's marrying tbis 
young man ; be is a fine fellow. 
Mr. Dorimont tells me, that be 
has already distinguished him- 
self at the bar ; and, personally, 
I think him charming. 



244 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



Laure. Laura. 

Oui, pas mal; roais peut-on Well, yes. But only think 
avoir cinq cent mille francs de of having a dower of five hun- 
dot et s'appeler Mme. Dalbret ? dred thousand francs, and be- 
— pas le plus petit titre. Si elle ing called Mrs. Dalbret — not 
etait seulement baronne. even the smallest title. If she 

was only a baroness I could 
understand it. 



Mme. de Brevannes (a Ar- 
thur). 

Plus je vols cette aimable 
famille, plus je suis heureuse de» 
I'idee que ma petite Fanny va 
y entrer. Puisqu'elle ne pent 
etre ta femme, mon fils, je la 
confierai volontiers a ce bon 
Charles. 



Mme. de Breva-nnes {to Ar- 
thur). 

The more I see of this 
charming family, the happier 
I feel at the idea of my little 
Fanny's becoming a member 
of it. As she cannot be your 
wife, my son, I will trust her 
wilHngly to Charles. 



Arthur. Arthur. 

C'est un excellent garcon. He is a capital fellow, and so 

et si amoureux d'elle! Mais much in love with her! But 

quelle est cette jeune fille en who is that young girl with a 

tulle illusion avec cette coifiure tulle dress and snow-balls in 

en boules de neige ? her hair ? 

Fanny. Fanny. 

C'est Flore de Mesange, Ar- It is Flora de Mesange, Ar- 
thur, thur. 



Arthur. 
Elle est bien jolie. 



Arthur, 
She is sweetly pretty. 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



245 



Charles. 



Charles. 



Arthur, gare aux fleches de Arthur, beware of Cupid's 



Cupidon 



arrows i 



Le G^n^ral Bertrand {au General Bertrand {to the 

Pr^fet). Prefect). 

Vous plaisez-vous a Tours, Do you like Tours, sir. You 

monsieur ? Vous avez habite have lived some time in Paris, 

Paris longtemps, je crois ? I believe ? 

Le Prefet. The Prefect. 

Je m'y plais assez ; mais Mme. I find it agreeable in many 

Davrigny regrette son cercle respects ; but Mrs. Davrigny 

intime. Elle vient de retrouver misses her intimate circle very 

Mme. de Brevannes, avec un much. She met Mme. de Bre- 

plaisir extreme. vannes just now, with a great 

deal of pleasure. 

M. DoRiMONT. Mr. Dorimont. 

Eh bien ! Berthe, Vogerolles Well ! Bertha, has Vogerolles 

est-il aussi beau que tu te I'e- equalled your expectations ? 
tais imagine ? 



Berthe. 

Oh! bon papa, c'est d'un 
beau ! Ces jar dins, ce pare, 
cela me rappelle les Mille et 
une Nuits. On est si bien 
dans ce grand chateau. Je 
voudrais y rester toujours. 



Bertha. 

Oh ! grandpa', it is superb ! 
These gardens and park re- 
mind me of the Arabian Nights. 
One is so comfortable in this 
great castle. I should like to 
live here forever. 



Mme. Beaufort (d Charles). Mrs. Beaufort {to Charles). 

A quelle heure se fait la ce- At what o'clock is the mar- 
remonie, Charles ? riage to take place ? 



246 



COMMENT ON PAELE A PARIS, 



Charles. 

A onze heures precises, ma- 
dame; mais nous attendons 
Mgr. I'Archeveque do Tours. 
Le voici, je crois. 

BoNCHAMP (annongant), 
Monseigneur I'Arclieveque. 



Charles, 

At eleven precisely ; but we 
are expecting tlie Archbishop 
of Tours. There he is, I think. 



BoNCHAMP (announcing). 
His Grace the Archbishop. 



Mme. Daryille. Mrs. Darville. 

Comment vous exprimer toute How kind in you, to honor 

ma reconnaissance, de ce que us with your presence to-day, 

vous ayez bien voulu nous ho- my lord ! 
norer de votre presence aujour- 
d'hui, monseigneur ! 

LArcheveque. The Archbishop. 

Je suis trop heureux, ma- I am most happy, madam, 

dame, de celebrer un mariage to celebrate a marriage, which 

desire par tant de riches et de meets with the good wishes of 

pauvres. so many rich and poor. 



(Le G6n]§:ralBertrand et Char- 
les causent avec ZArchev^- 
QUE. Mme. Daryille et M. 
DE Parnes quittent le salon, 
Au bout (Tun quart d^heure 
uneporte later ale s'ouvre^ Ma- 
rie par ait en toilette de ma- 
riee, donnant le bras a M. de 
Parnes. Mme. Daryille et 
George la suivent. Deux 
domestiques, en livree^ ouvrent 
la grande porte a droite^ 



(General Bertrand and 
Charles entertain the Arch- 
bishop. Mrs. Daryille and 
M. DE Parnes leave the 
drawing-room. A few mo- 
ments afterwards^ a side-door 
is opened^ Marie appears in 
bridal attire, M. de Par- 
nes hands her in ; they are 
followed by Mrs. Daryille 
and George. Tioo servants 
in livery open the folding- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 



24:7 



conduisant a la chapelle, 
L'autel est convert de fieurs 
et resplendissant de lumiere, 
L'orgue sefait entendre^ TAr- 
CHEvi&QUE entre dans la cha- 
pelle, Marie et iOus les in- 
vites le suivent ; les gens du 
chateau s^assemhlent dans le 
grand salon. i/'ARCHEv:&QUE 
donne la benediction nuptiale 
aux epoux, Apres la cere- 
monie, tout le monde retourne 
au salon. On entoure la 
mariee ; elle recoit les com- 
pliments de ses amis,) 



doors, on the right, leading 
into the chapel. The altar 
is covered with lights and 
flowers. The sounds of an 
organ are heard^ the Arch- 
bishop enters the chapel ; he 
is followed by Marie and 
all the bridal party ; the ser- 
vants crowd ijito the drawing- 
room. The Archbishop hav- 
ing performed the ceremony, 
the company returns to the 
drawing-room. The bride is 
surrounded by her family and 
friends, who congratulate her) 



Le G]6neral Bertrand {em- General Bertrand (kissing 
brassant Marie). Marie). 

Ma niece cherie ! My darling niece ! 

M. Dorimont. Mr. Dorimont. 

Me sera-t-il permis d'oflfrir May I offer my sincere con- 

mes compliments a Madame gratulations to Mrs. Dalbret ? 
Dalbret ? 

Marie. Marie. 

Je suis toujours voire petite I am still your little Marie, 

Marie, general. general. 



BoNCHAMP (a Marie). Bonchamp (to Marie). 

La soeur Therese et deux Sister Theresa and two of 

des orphelines demandent a the orphans wish to see you, 

voirmadame. ma'am. 



248 COMMENT ON PAELE A PAEIS. 

Mme. Darville. Mrs. Daryille. 

Dites-leurd'entrer,Bonchamp. Tell them to come in, Bon- 
champ. 

{La soeur Th^rese s'avance ti- {Sister Theresa comes in tim- 

midement, avec deux petites idly^ with two little girls 

filles qui portent des corbeil- hearing baskets of flowers,) 
les defleurs.) 

Une des Petites Filles. One of the Little Girls. 

Permettez-nous, madame, de Allow us, madam, to offer 

vous offrir ce faible temoignage you this trifling testimony of 

de notre reconnaissance et de our gratitude and devotion, 

notre devouement. Puisse le May Providence listen to the 

ciel, comblant les voeux de tons prayers of all those who sur- 

ceux qui vous entourent, vous round you, and grant that 

accorder de longs jours de bon- many days of real happiness 

heur. may be in store for you, 

Marie. Marie. 

Merci, mes enfauts. J'ac- Thank you, my dear children, 

cepte avec reconnaissance vos I am truly grateful for your 

voeux et vos fleurs. Une des good wishes and flowers. One 

occupations les plus douces de of my favorite duties, hereafter, 

ma nouvelle existence, sera will be to visit you very often, 

d'aller souvent vous visiter, and assist our good Sister to 

et d'aider notre bonne soeur guide you in the path of hap- 

Therese a vous guider dans le piness and virtue. {She kisses 

sentier du bonheur et de la the little girls, who retire with 

vertu. {Mle embrasse les deux joyful countenances,) 
petites files, qui se retirent tou- 
tes joyeuses,) 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Marie, mon enfant, le vrai Marie, dear child, true hap- 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 249 

bonheur est a VogeroUes, je le piness is indeed to be found at 

vois bien. VogeroUes ; I see it now. 

Marie. Marie. 

Puissiez-Vous, cbere tante, en May you ever think thus, 

4tre toujours persuadee et re- dear aunt, and frequently re- 

venir souvent nous voir. turn to visit us. 

Mme. de Parnes. Mme. de Parnes. 

Bien cert ainement. (^Qeor* Oh! certainly. (TbGEORaE.) 

GE.) Monsieur Dalbret, recevez Mr. Dalbret, accept the sincere 

les compliments de votre nou- wishes of your aunt* 
velle tante. 

George* George. 

C'est un titre qui m'est bien I value that title very high^ 

cher, madamCi ly, dear madam. 

Mme. Darville (a f Archev^- Mrs. Darville {to the Arch^ 

que). bishop). 

Monseigneur, vous ne nous My Lord, I hope you do not 

quittez pas encore, n'est^ce pas ? intend to leave us yet. The 

Le bonheur de mes enfants ne happiness of my children would 

serait pas complet si vous ne not be complete, if they were 

nous donniez pas votre journee so soon deprived of your kind 

toute entiere. presencCi 

L'Archev^que* The Archbishop. 

Je serai bien volontiers des I will remain with you with 

votres, madame ; car le monde, pleasure, dear madam ; for I 

tel que je le vois ici, n'est pas can but praise and admire the 

celui que je condamne. En circle I meet here. By devo- 

consacrant votre fortune a sou- ting your fortune to the relief 

lager le malheur et a repandre and improvement of our vil- 
li* 



250 



COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS. 



le bien-^tre dans nos campa- 
gnes, vous exercez un veritable 
apostolat, et je vois avec joie 
vos vertus revivre dans votre 
aimable fille. Si toutes les 
unions terrestres se contrac- 
taient sous des auspices aussi 
saints que celle que je viens de 
benir, la paix qui regnerait dans 
les families serait un avant- 
coureur de celle qui nous at^ 
tend au ciel. 



lagers, you exercise a holy mis-* 
sion ; and I am bappy to see 
your daughter follow your ex- 
ample. If all earthly ties were 
as sacredly bound as those I 
have just blessed, the peace 
which many famihes would en- 
joy here below, would be but 
a foretaste of that which awaits 
us in heaven. 



Fin. 



The End, 



FRENCH AS SPOKEN IN PARIS. 251 



LIST OF ADDRESSES 

WHICH MAY BE USEFUL TO TEAYELLEKS IN PAEI8. 



DRY GOODS. 

Delisle, rue de Choiseuil. 
ViLLE DE Paris, rue Montmartre. 
AuBEETOT, Boulevards Bonne Nouvelle. 

MILLINERS. 

Baudeant, Place Vend6me. 

Madame Laure, Boulevards des Capucinea, 

DRESS-MAKERS. 

Madame de Baisieux, Place Vend6me. 

Madame Lardin. 

Madame Salme, ^ rue d'Argenteuil 

LINEN-DRAPERS. 
Mademoiselle Hermille, 8 rue 29 JuiUet 

ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS. 

CONSTANTIN. 

Cartiee, 30 rue Louis le Grand. 

JEWELLERS. 

Janisset, rue de Richelieu. 
Bassot, rue de la Paix. 

CHILDREN'S CLOTHES. 
L'Eglair, Boulevards des Capucinea. 



262 COMMENT ON PARLE A PARIS* 

CORSET-MAKERS. 

Madame Carriere, 66 faubourg Poissonni^re. 
Madame Grigne, 11 rue d' Orleans. 

GLOVES. 

BoRTTN, rue de la Paix. 
Alexandre, 22 rue St. Augustin. 

LADIES' SHOES. 

Chalopin. 
Chapelle. 

TAILORS. 

Chevreuil, comer of roe St. Honore and Castiglione. 
Alfred, rue de la Paix. 

SHIRTS, CRAYATS, ETC. 
Madame Mat, rue de Richelieu. 

BOOTS. 

Clercx, Boulevards des Italiena 

HAIR-DRESSERS. 

COUTANT. 

BRONZES. 
Denieres. 

CONFECTIONERS. 

BoissiER, Boulevards des Capucines. 
Marques, Passage du Panorama. 

PASTRY. 
Felix, Passage du Panorama. 

FANCY ARTICLES. 

SusE, rue Vivienne. 

GiROUX, rue du Coq, St. Honord. 



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Soys at Home By the Author of Edgar Clifton, 15 

Child's Cheerful Companion, .... 50 

Child's Picture and Verse Book. 100 Engs. 50 

COUSIN Alice's works. 

All's Not Gold that Glittei^ .... 75 

Contentment Better than Wealth, ... 63 

Nothing Venture, Nothing H^ve, ... 63 

No such Word as Fail, 63 

Patient Waiting No Loss, .... 63 

OashNVOod Priory. By the Author of Edgar 

Clifton, 75 

Edgar Clifton ; or Right and Wrong, . . 75 

Fireside Fairies. By Susan Pindar, . . 63 

Gc.-d in Every Thing. By Mrs. Barwell, . 60 

Leisure Moments Improved, , ... 75 

Life of Punchinello 75 



LIBRARY FOR MY YOUNG COUNTRYMEN. 

Adr enturts of Capt. John Smith. By the Au- 
thor of Uncle Philip, .... 38 
Adventures of Daniel Boone. By do. . . 38 
Dawnmgs of Genius. By Anne Pratt, . . 38 
Life and Adventures of Henry Hudson. By 

the Author of Uncle Philip, ... 38 

Ijfe and Adventures of Heman Cortez. By do. 38 
Philip Randolph. A Tale of Virginia. By 

Mary Gertrude, 38 

Rowan's History of the French Revolution. 2 

vols. 75 

AMithey't I<ife of Oliver Cromwell, . . 38 



Louis' School-Days. By E. J. May, . 
Louise ; or, The Beauty of Integrity, 
Maryatt's Settlers in Canada, . 

" Masterman Ready, . 

" Scenes in Africa, 
Midaummer Fays. By Susan Pindar, 



MISS MCINTOSH S WORKS, 

Aunt Kitty's Tales, 12mo. 
Blind Alice ; A Tale for Good Children, . 
Ellen Leslie ; or. The Reward of Self-Control, 
Florence Amott ; or, Is She Generous ! 
Grace and Clara ; or. Be Just as well as Gen 



erous, 

Jessie Graham; or. Friends Dear, but Iruth 

Dearer, 

Emily Herbert ; or. The Happy Home, . 
Rose and Lillie Sta>r>hope) 



Mamma's Story Boc «,.... 

Pebblesfrom the Sea-Shore, . 

Puss in Boots. Illustrated. By Otto Specter, 

PETER parley's WORKS. 

Faggots for the Fireside, .... 
Parley's Present for all Seasons, 
Wanderers by Sea and Land, . 
Winter Wreath of Summer Flowers, 



2i 

6S 
63 
681 



3 13 
1 00 
1 13 
3 00 



TALES FOR THE PEOPLE AND THEIR 

CHILDREN. 

Alice Franklin. By IMary Howitt, . 

Crofton Boys (The). By Harriet Martineau, 

Dangers of Dining Out. By Mrs. Ellis, . . 38 

Domestic Tales. By Hannah More. 2 vols, . 75 

Early Friendship. By Mrs. Copley, 

Farmer's Daughter (The)= By Mrs. Cameron, 38 

First Impressions. By Mrs. Ellis, . 

Hope On, Hope Ever ! By Mary Howitt, 

Little Coin, Much Care. By do. 

Looking-Glass for the Mmd. Many plates. 

Love and Money. By Mary Howitt, 

Minister's Family. By Mrs. Ellis, . 

My Own Story. By Mary Howitt, . 

My Uncle, the Clockmaker. By do. . 

No Sense Like Common Sense. By do. 

Peasant and the Prince. By H. Martineau, 

Poplar Grove. By Mrs. Copley, . 

Somerville Hall. By Mrs. Ellis, . 

Sowing and Reaping. By Mary Howitt, 

Story of a Genius 

Strive and Thrive. By do. . 

The Two Apprentices. By do. 

Tired of Housekeeping. By T. S. Arthur, 

Twin Sisters (The). By Mrs. Sandhara, 

Which is the Wiser ! By Mary Howitt, 

Who Shall be Greatest? By do. . 

Work and Wages. By do. . . . 



I 

38 I 
38 ' 
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38 ' 
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38 i 
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BSOOIO) 8EBDCS. 

Chances and Changes. By Charles Burdeit; 
Goldmaker's Village. By H, Zschokke, 
Never Too Late. By Charles Burdett, . 
Ocean Work, Ancient and Modern. By J. H, 
Wright 



Picture Pleasure Book, Ist Series, 
« « ♦* 2d Series, 

Robinson Crusoe. 300 Plates, . 
Susan Pindar's Story Book, 
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Travels of Bob the Squirrel, 
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Willy's First Present, 
Week's Delight ; or, GamcB and Stories for the 

Parlor, 

William Tell, the Hero of Switxerlard, . 
Young Student. By Madame Goisot, 




38 



1 25 
1 25 
1 60 
75 
75 
37 
60 
75 

76 
60 
76 



D. Appleton & Company's List of New Works, 



Miscexianeous and General Litera- 
ture. 

An Attic Philosopher in Paris, . . 25 

Appletons' Library Mutual, . . . . 1 25 

Afjnell's Book of Chess, 1 25 

Arnold's Miscellaneous Works, . ■ . .2(0 

Arthur. The Successful Merchant, . . 75 

A Book for Summer Time in the Country, . 50 

Baldwin's Flush Times in Alabama, . . 1 25 

Calhoun (J. C), Works of. 4 vols, publ., each, 2 00 

Clark's (W. G.) Knick-Knacks, . . . 1 25 

Cornwall's Music as it Was, and as it Is, . 63 
Essays from the London Times. l8t&2d Series, 

each, . . 50 

Ewbankr' World in a Workshop, ... 75 

Ellis' Women of England, .... 60 

** Hearts and Homes, 1 50 

" Prevention Better than Cure, . . 75 

Foster's Essays on Christian Morals, . . 50 

Goldsmith's Vicar of Wake.field, ... 75 

Grant's Memoirs of an American Lady, . . 75 

Gaieties and Gravities. By Horace Smith, . 50 

Guizot's History of Civilization, . . , 1 00 
Hi-arth-Stone, 'By Rev. S. Osgood,. . -100 

Hobson. My Uncle and I, . ... 75 

ingoldsby Legends, ...... 50 

Isham's Mud Cabin, 1 00 

Johnson's Meaning of Words, . . . . 1 00 

Kavaiiagh's Women of Christianity, . . 75 

lager's Animal ^NlagnetisM, . . . . 1 00 

Life's Discipline. A Tale of Hungary, „. . 63 
Letters from Rome. A. r. 188, . . .190 

Margaret Maitland, 75 

Maiden and Married Life of Mary Powellj . 50 
Morton Montague ; or a Young Christian's 

Choice, 75 

Macaulay's Miscellanies. 5 vols. . . . 5 00 

Maxims of Washington. By J. F. Schroed&r, 1 00 

Mile Stones in our Life Journey, . . 1 00 



MINIATURE CLASSICAL LIBRARY. 

Poetic Lacon ; or. Aphorisms from the Poets, 
Bond's Golden Maxims, .... 
Clarke's Scripture Promises. Complete, 
Elizabeth ; or. The Exiles of Siberia, 
Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefie' i, . 

" Essays, 

Gems from American Poets, . 
Hannah More's Private Devotions, 

" '* Practical Piety. 2 vols. 

Hernias' Domestic Affections, . 
Hoffman's Lays of the Hudson, &c. . 
Johnson's History of Rasselaa, 
Manual of Matrimony, .... 
Moore's Lalla Rookh, . . . • 

" Melodies. Complete, 

Paul and Virginia, 

Pollok'a Course of Time, 
Pure Gold from the Rivers of Wisdom, 
Thomson's Seasons, . . . . . - ■ 
Token of the Heart. Do. of A?»2ction. Do 
of Remembrance. Do. of Friendship, 
Do. of Love. Each, .... 
Useful Letter- Writer, .... 
Wilson's Sacra Privata, .... 
Young's Nigtit Thoughts, . . . 

Little Pedlington and the Pedlingtonians, 
Pnjsmatics. Tales and Poems, 
Papers from the Quarterly Review, 
Republic of the United States. Its Duties, &c 
Preservation of Health and Prevention of 

ease, 

School for Politics. By Chas. Gayerre, . 
Select Italian Comedies. Translated, . 
Shakespeare's Scholar. By R, G. White, 
Spectator (The). New ed. 6 vols, cloth, 
Swett's Treatise on Diseases of the Chest, 
Stories from Blackwood, .... 



Dis- 



50 

1 25 

50 

1 00 

75 
75 
75 

2 50 
9 00 

3 OO 
50 



Thackeray's works. 

The Book of Snobs, 

Mr. Browne's Letters, .... 

The Confessions of Fitzboodle, 

The Fat Contributor, 

Jeames' Diary. A Legend of tho Rhine, 

The Luck of Barry Lj-ndon, . 

Men's Wives, 

The Paris Sketch Book. 2 vols. 

The Shabby Genteel Story, . 

The Yellowplush Papers. 1 vol. 16mo. 

Thackeray's Works. 6 vols, boimd in cloth, 

Trescott's Diplomacy of the Revolution, 
Tuckerman's Artist Life, . . • . 
Up Country Letters, .... 

Ward's Letters from Three Continents, . 
" English Items, .... 
Warner s Rudimental Lessou: -'n JVIr-uc, 
W^oma: s Worth, . . . . 

Philosophica Works. 

Cousin's Course of Modem Philosophy, . 
« Philosophy of the Beautiful, 
" on the True, Beautiful, and Good, 

Comte's Positive Philosophy. 2 vols. 

Hamilton's Philosophy. 1 vol. 8vo. 

Poetry and the Drama. 

Amelia's Poems. 1 vol. 12mo. 

Brownell's Poems. 12mo. 

Bryant's Poems. 1 vol. 8vo. Illustrated, 

" " Antique mor. 

" « 2 vols. 12mo. cloth, . 

*' " 1 vol. 18mo. 

Byron's Poetical Works. 1 vol. cloth, . 
" ** " Antique mor. 

Burns' Poetical Works. Cloth, 
Butler's Hudibras. Cloth, 
Campbell's Poetical Works. Cloth, 
Coleridge's Poetical W^orka. Cloth, 
Cowper's Poetical Works, 
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, . 
Dante's Poems. Cloth, .... 
Dryden's Poetical Works. Cloth, . 
Fay (J. S.), Ulric ; or, The Voices, 
Goethe's Iphigenia in Tauris. Translated, , 
Giltillan's Edition of the British Poets. 12 vol 

published. Price per vol. cloth. 
Do. do. Calf, per vol. . . . , 
Griffith's (Mattie) Poems, 
Hemans' Poetical Works. 2 vols. 16mo. 
Herbert's Poetical Works. 16mo. cloth, 
Keats' Poetical Works. Cloth, 12mo. . 
Kirko White's Poetical Works. Cloth, . 
Lord's Poems. 1 vol. 12nio. . . , 

" Christ in Hades. 12mo. 
Milton's Paradise Lost. ISmo. 

" Complete Poetical Works, 
Moore's Poetical W^orks. 8vo. Illustrated, 

" " " Mor. extra, . 

Montgomery's Sacred Poems. 1 vol. 12mo. 
Pope's Poetical Works. 1 vol. 16mo. 
Southey's Poetical Works. 1 vol. . 
Spenser's Faerie Queene. 1 vol. cloth, . 
Scott's Poetical Works. 1 vol. 
" Lady of the Lake. 16mo. . 

" Marmion, 

" Lay of the Last Minstrel, . 
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Wordsworth (^W.). The Prelude, . 



50 
60 
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50 
60 

1 00 
60 

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Beligious Works. 



Arnold's Rugby School Sermons, 
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" Early Catechism for Children, 
Burnet's History of the Reformation. 3 vols. 

*' Thirty-Nine Articles, 



2 60 
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D. Appleton & Company's List of New Works. 



2 00 
38 
1 00 
60 
1 00 
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1 00 

4 00 
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1 00 
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■vs 

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25 

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Bradley's Family and Parish Sermons, 

Cotter's Mass and Rubrics, ... 

Coit'a Puritanism, . . » • . 

Evans' Rectory of Valehead, ... 

Grayson's True Theory of Christianity, . 

Gresley on Preachin"', .... 

Griffin's Gospel its Own Advocate, . . 

Hecker's Book of the Soul, . , 

Hooker's Complete Works. 2 vols. 

James' Happiness, ..... 

Jamea on the Nature of Evil, ... 

J&rvis' Reply to Milner, .... 
, Kinssley's Sacred Choir, 
I Keble's Christian Year, .... 
I Lrfj-inan's Letters to a Bisnojp, 
j LotJ-Hn's Sermons and Expository Lectures, 

Lyra Apostolica, .... 

Marshall's Notes on Episcopacy, 

Nevvinairs Sermons and Subjects of the Day, 
" Essay on Christian Doctrine, . 

Ugiiby on Lay Baptism, .... 

Pearpon on the Creed, .... 

Pulpit Cyclopedia and Mmisters' Companion, 

Sewell's Rt^aditig Preparatory to Confirmation 

Southard's Mystery of Godliness, • 

Sketches and Skeletons of Seniions, 

Spencer's Christian Instructed, 

Sherlock's Practical Christian, 

Sutton's Disce Vivere — Learn to Lire, 

Swartz's Letters to my Godchild, . 

Trench's Notes on the Parables, 
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Taylor's Hr.ly Living and Dying, . 

" Episcopacy Asserted and Maintained 

Tyng's Family Commentarj', . 

VValker's Sermons on Practical Subjects, 

Watsi>n on Confirmation, .... 

Wilberforce's Manual for Commimicants, 

Wilson's Lectures on Colossians, . . 

Wyatt's Christian Altar, .... 

Voyages and Travels. 

Africa and the American Flag, 

Appletons' Southern and Western Guide, 
" Northern and Eastern Guide, 

" Complete U. S. Guide Book, . 

N.Y. City Map, . 

Bartletf-! New Mexico, &c. 2 vols. Illustrated 

Burnet 'a N. Western Territory, 

Bryant's What I Saw in California, 

Coggeshall's Voyages. 2 vols. 

Dix's Winter in Madeira, 

Hue's Travels in Tartary and Thibet. 2 vols, 

Layard's Nineveh. 1 vol. 8vo. 

Notes of a Theological Student. 12mo. . 

Oliphant's Journey to Katmundu, , 

Parkyns' Abyssinia. 2 vols. 

Russia as it Is. By Gurowski, . 
" By Count de Custine, . 

Squier's Nicaragua. 2 vols. 

Tappan's Step from the N)w World to the Old, 1 75 

Wanderings and FortuB.>jf3 3f Germ. Emigrants, 75 

Williams' Isthmus of Tehuantepec. 2 vols. Svo. 3 50 

Works of Fiction. 

GRACE AGUILAR's WORKS. 
The Days of Bruce. 2 vols. 12mo. . 
Hema Scenes and Heart Studies. 12mo. 
The Mother's Recompense. 12mo. 
Woman's Friendship. 12mo. . 
Women of Israel. 2 vols. 12mo. 

Baail A Story of Modem Life. 12mo. . 
Braea'i Fawn' of the Pale Faces. 12mo. 
Busy Momenta of an Idle Woman, . 
Chestnut Wood. ^ Tale. 2 vols. . 
Don Quixotte, Translated. Illustrated, . 
Drury (A. H.). Light and Shade, . 
Dupuy (A. E.). The Conspirator, . 
iElt«n P*rry ; or Trials of the Heart, 

L.. . '. 



MRS. ILLIS WORKS. 

Hearts and Homes ; or, Social Distiuctions, 
Prevention Better than Cure, . 
Women of England, .... 



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Emmanuel Phillibert. By Dumas, . 
Farmingdale. By Caroline Thomas, 
Fullerton (Lady G.). Ellen Middleton, 

'* " Grantley Manor. 1 vol 

12mo. 

" « Lady Bird. 1 vol. 12mo. 

The Foresters. By Alex. Dumas, . 
Gore (Mrs,), The Dean's Daughter. 1 vol. 12mo. 
Goldsmith's Vicar of Wakefield. 12mo. 
Gil Bias. With 500 Engravings. Cloth, gt. edg. 
Harrj' Muir. A Tale of Scottish Life, . 
Hearts UnveUed ; or, I Knew You Would Like 

Him, 

Heartsease ; or. My Brother's Wife. 2 vol*. 
Heir of Redclyffe. 2 vols, cloth, 
Heloise ; or. The Unrevealed Secret. 12mo. 
Hobson. My Uncle and I. 12mo. . 
Holmes' Tempest and Sunshine. 12mo. . 
Home is Home. A Domestic Storv, 
Howitt (Mary). The Heir of Wefct Wayland, 
lo. A Tale of the Ancient Fane. 12mo, 
The Iron Cousin. By Mary Cowden Clarke. 
James (G. P. R.). Adrian ; or, Clouds of th 

Mind, . . ^ . . . 

John ; or. Is a Cousin in the Hand Worth Two 

in the Bush, 



JULIA KAVANAGH S WORKS. 

Nathalie. A Tale. 12mo. 

Madeline. 12mo 

Daisy Bums. 12mo. . ... 

Life's Discipline. A Tale of Hungary, . 

Lone Dove (The). A Legend, . 

Linuy Lockwood. By Catherine Crowe, 



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Experience of Life. 12mo. . 

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Katherine Ashton. 2 vols. 12lno. . 

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76 

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J). APFLETON (b CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 

Important Nctv Publications. 

L 

The Confidential Correfpondence of 
Napoleon Bonaparte 

WITH HIS BROTHER JOSEPH. 

SELECTED AND TKANSLATED, WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES. FEOM THS 
"MEMOIRES DIT EOI JOSEPH.*' 

Two Thick Volumes, 12mo. Price Two Dollars. 



No book has yet appeared which furnishes so correct a portraiture of tio character ol 
Jfftpoleon. He was in almost daily communication with his brother Joseph, from his first 
appointment as the General of Brigade, down to the 16th of June, 1815. 

We cannot form a correct idea of the character of the great mind that swayed over 
nearly the whole Continent of Europe, without reading these Letters, which, unlike official 
correspondence, open to us the inmost thoughts and motives of action of the writer. These 
letters bear upon every subject, and we see with what a watchful eye he cared for even the 
smallest thing. A di/^tinguished critic has observed in examining the early sheets, that 
" Biographers will have to write their biographies of Napoleon over again." 



The Irish Abroad and at Home, 

AT THE COURT AND m THE CAMP : 

WITH SOUVENIRS OF " THE BRIGADE," REMINISCENCES OF AN 

EMIGRANT MILESIAN 
1 vol. 12mo. Cloth. One Dollar. 



{From the Portland Advertiser.) 
An interesting book, half historical, half anecdotal, and wholly Irish in subject, if not 
to handling. It contains sketches of some of Ireland's greatest minds, as well as observant 
notes of affairs in France during the reign of Napoleon. Much information of & curioua 
nature is given respecting Irish laws and customs. 

{From the Boston Telegraph.) 
We notice that this work is praised highly, aud we have examined it suflSciently to find 
Uiat it is very sprightly and entertaining. The title-page suflSciently indicates the general 
character of the book, but it does not show how finely the author has treated the subject, 
which he makes attractive by his brilliant sketches of character, incidents, and adventure. 
To collect the materials for this work rehired much time and labor, and to work them up 
\m this Btyle required much brightness of intellect and fineness of cultorti. 



I). APFLETON (b CO:S PUBLIGATIONS, 

Songs and Ballads of the American 
Revolution. 

LOYAL AND WHIG. WITH NOTES A^D ILLUSTPwATIONS. 

BY FRANK MOORE, 

* More solid things do not show the complexion of the times as weU as Ballads and 

Libelsy—Selden. 

1 Tol. 12mo., with two illustrations by Darley. Price $1. 

{Extract from Editor's Preface.) 

This volume presents a selection from the numerous productions, in verse, which ap- 
t»^ared during the war of the American Eevolution. Many of them are taken from the 
newspapers and periodical issues of the time, others from original ballad, sheet, and broad- 
sidos; while some have been received from the recollections" of a few surviving soldiers, 
who heard and sang them amid the trials of the camp and the fieJd. 

Nsiiriy every company had its "smart one," a poet who beguiled the weariness of the 
march or the encampment, by his minstrelsy, grave or gay, and the imperfect fras^menta 
w^hicb feurvive to us, provoke our regret that so few of them have been preserved. 

{From the Boston Evening Transcript.) 

It is. t curiosity of literature, a patriotic treasury of quaint, yet honest verse, an antiqua* 
rian gen.^, a native and primitive fruit — in short, a delectable book for the curious in litera- 
ture, and \he lovers of the native muse, in her rude infancy. The notes indicate patient 
research, xnd give historical value to the work. * * * The verses to the memory of 
Hale are mournfully graphic ; and, as we take up the book, fresh from Irving's page, it 
seems to tranr^port us to hamlet and bivouac, and reproduce the life of the people, when 
the events or the Eevolution were gradually unfolding. 

{From, the Albany Morning Express.) 

The real liA of a people may be found in its songs and ballads. The prosaic pen of the 
historian givcb uoly an outline of the picture ; the true color and complexion of the times 
are preserved in those traditionary legends and songs, which conceived on the impulse of 
the moment, insj-ij^ed by the time and the occasion, and the absorbing scenes of heroic 
action, are handed down from father to son, and cling to the very heart of the people. Mr. 
Moore's collection has been long needed, and is a valuable contribution to our national 
literature. 

{From, the Criterion.) 

Mr. Moore has (l^ne a real service to the country, not only in a literary, but a historical 
point of vew; and ao library or private collection, of any pretension or value, can be 
without this volumo of poetical history. Moore's collections of the Ballads and Soxqs 
OF THE Eevolution must fill the same place in the literature of this country that is filled 
in Great Britain b ■ Scott's Minstrelsy of the Scottish BofwDer. 

{From the Transcript and Eclectic.) 
The work fills a void in our national and historical IHerature ; and also addresses itsoU 
especially to the tastes and comprehension of the masses of the people. 

{From Correspondent of Boston Post.) 
I regard this volume as an exceedingly valuable contribution to our historic literature. 
* * * With the rude effusions here first collected, was born American liberty ; and th« 
harp of Homer or Milton could not have been tuned to a nobler resolve than that which 
called them forth. 

{From Vie IT. Y. Entr' Acte.) 

Mr. Moore has done for his country what Herder did for the Jewish nation — wha\ 
Goethe and Schiller labored to perform for Germany, early in the last century — namely, to 
give to the land of his birth a ballad literature; not, indeed, created by his own genius, 
but collected from among those emanations which were called forth when the forefathers 
of our country were upon the battle-field, in defence of human rights, and with anus in 
their hands. The fruits of his labors will be received with enthusiastic delight His work 
breathes of Bunker Hill, of Concord, and Lexington. Its poetic productions are assocl&tod 
with that struggle, which is among the most noble in history— American Independence 
4nd every Americau will read it. 



B. APPLETON & CO:a PUBLICATIONS. 

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THE REQUIREMENTS OF AMERICAN VILLAGE HOMES 
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BY HP:NRY W. CLEVELAND, WM. BACKUS, & SAME. D. BACKUP 

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(From the N. Y. Evening Post) 

Tbe work is professedly intended for that numerous class who cannot Afford to build 
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S]»ecific^tions for each house can be had at a trifling cost, upon application to the architects. 
This is a novel feature in architectural publications, and a very judicious one. 

The book contains many useful remarks and truly practical hints. Any person about 
to build may read with profit the sections on the choice of a lot, on the adoption of a plan, on 
painting,, on our foreet timbers, and on the application of principles to details. 



II. 



The Attache in Madrid ; 

OR, SKETCHES OF THE COURT OF ISABELLA IL 

1 vol. 12mo. 368 pages. $1. 



" It is believed that there is no other book In our language which presents so good a pic- 
ture of Spain and the Spaniards as this does. The author possesses the necessary qualifi- 
cations for the production of such a work. The Spaniards are a proud people — proud of 
their country and history— proud of their traditions and poetry — proud of their old romances 
Bud chivalry — prcud of their churches and their religion — and proud of their manners and 
habits. With such a nation the AttacheQ,OM\^ feel a deep and sincere sympathy. He was not 
Bc materialistic as to be haunted by the ghost of a ten-cent-piece in the Palace (f tbe Escurial. 
He saw every thing, from the private levee to the public bull-fight; from the moonlight 
4ance of Manolas to the regal balb of the Duchess d'Alva; from the needle-work of the 
S|)anish maiden to the glorious paintings of Titian, Velasquez, and Murillo : and he has put 
upon paper all that was worthy of record, -which came under his notice. But this is not all. 
He has given us a kind of political history of modern Spain. His book v^W\ make Spanish 
politics, "and Spanish partisanship, as familiar to the American reader as the conchology of his 
own "• Hards" and "Softs."' The account given of M. Soule's diplomacy, of his heroism, is nc t 
the least interesting chapter in the work; and the description of the Revolution of 1S48, 
and of the flight of Queen Christina and of the San[Luis Cabinet, is graphic, instructive, and 
Interesting. 

*' It is evident that the relations of the author at the Spanish Court were at once delicatd 
And intimate." 



i). APPLETON d 00:S PUBLICATIONS. 
A Work abonnding in Exciting Scenes and Remarkable Incidents. 



Capt. Canot ; 



OR, 

TWEISTTY YEAES OF AIT AFRICAN SLAYER • 

BBINQ AN ACCOUNT OF HIS OAEEER AND ADVENTURES ON THE CX)A8T, Ifl 
THE INTEEIOE, ON SHIPBOARD, AND IN THE WEST INDIES. 

Written out and Edited from the Captain's Jov/rnaU^ M&mora/nda^ and Coiwereation*. 
RY BRANTZ MIYER. 

One Yolume, l2mo. With eight Illustrations. Price $1 25. 

Criticisms of the Press, 

"The author is a literary gentleman of Baltimore, no Abolitionist, and we believe tbi 
f\'-oik to be a truthful account of the life of a man who saw much more than falls to the lot 
of most men." — Commonwealth. 

"A remarkable volume is this; because of its undoubted truth : it having been derived 
by Mayer from personal conversations with Canot, and from journals which the slaver fur- 
nished of his own life." — Worcester Palladium. 

" Capt Canot, the hero of the narrative, is, to our own knowledge, a veritable person- 
age, and resides in Baltimore. There is no doubt that the main incidents connected with 
his extraordinary career are in every respect true. ' — Arthurs Rome Gazette. 

"Under one aspect, as the biography of a remarkable man who passed through a sin- 
gularly strange and eventful experience, it is as interesting as any sea story that we have 
ever read.'' — Boston livening Traveller. 

" Capt. Canot has certainly passed through a life of difficulty, danger, and wild, daring 
adventure, which has much the air of romance, and still he, or rather his editor, tells the 
tale with so much straightforwardness, that we cannot doubt its truthfulness." — Neio York 
Sunday Despatch. 

" The work could not have been better done if the principal actor had combined 
the descriptive talent of De Foe with the astuteness of Fouche and the dexterity of GL 
Bias, which traits are ascribed to the worthy whose acquaintance we shall soon make by 
his admiring editor."— iV. Y. Tribune. 

" The general style of the work is attractive, and the narrative spirited and bold— well 
suited to the daring and hazardous course of life led by the adventurer. This book is illus- 
trated by several excs'llent engravings." — Baltimore American. 

"The biography of an African slaver as taken from his own lips, and giving his adven- 
tures in this traffic for twenty years. With great natural keenness of perception and com- 
plete communicativeness, he has literally unmasked his real life, and tells both what h« 
was and what he saw., the latter being thj Photograph of the Negro in Africa, which bas 
beefi so long wanted. A nephew of Mr. Mayer has illustrated the volume with eight ad- 
mirable drawings. We should think no book of the present day would be received with 
•o keen an interest"— ZTowe Journal. 

" Capt Canot has passed most of his life since 1819 on the ocean, and his catalogue <^ 
Adventures at sea and on land, rival in srrotesqueness and apparent improbability the mar- 
yels of Robinson Crusoe." — Evening Post. 

" If stirring incidents, hair-breadth escapes, and variety of adventure, can make a book 
Interesting, this must possess abundant attractions."— iVet/^ar* Daily Advertiser. 

" This ifi a true record of the life of one who had spent the ^eater part of his days Id 
dealing in humau flesh. We commend this book to all lovers of adventure."— -ffo«^07i 
Christian Recorder. 

*' We would advise every one who is a lover of ' books that are books ' — every one who 
tdmires Le Sage and De Foe, and has lingered long over the charming pages of Gil Blai 
tnd Robinson Cnisoo — every one, pro-slavery or anti-slavery, to purchase this book "-' 
Buffalo Covrier 



D. APPLETON & CO:S PUBLICATION'S, 
Rey. Samuel Osgood's Two Popular Books. 



I. 

Mile Stones in our Life Journey 

SECOND EDITION. 
One Yolume, 12mOw Cloth. P»:ice $1 



Opinions of the Press. 

"In so small a compass, we rarely meet with more Catholic sympatlles, and with i 
olearer or more practical view of the privileges enjoyed by, and the duties enjoined, upci 
09 all, at any stage of our mortal pilgrimage." — Church Journal. 

*' Some passages remind us forcibly of Addison and Goldsmith."' — Independent. 

"This little volume i§ one of those books which are read by all classes at all stages o» 
life, with an interest which loses nothing by change or circumstances." — Pennsylvanian. 

*' He writes kindly; strongly and readably; nor is their any thing in this volume of a 
narrow, bigoted, or sectarian character.'" — Life Illustrated. 

" His counsels are faithful and whoVesoine, his reflection touching, and the whole it 
clothed in a style graceful and free." — Hartford Belig. Herald. 

" This is a volume of beautiful and cogent essays, virtuous in motive, simple in expres- 
sion, pertinent and admirable in logic, and glorious in conclusion and climax." — BuffaU 
Express. 

'• It is written with exquisite taste, is full of beautiful thought most felicitously ex- 
|)ressed, and is pervaded by a genial and benevolent spirit." — Dr. Sprague. 

" Almost every page has a tincture of elegant scholarship, and bears witness to an ▼ 
tensive reading of good authors."— ^r^/a^i^. 



II. 

The Hearth-Stone ; 

THOUGHTS UPON HOME LIFE IN OUE CITIES. 
BY SAMUEL OSGOOD, 

AnTHOB OP ' STUDIES IN CHBI8TIAN BIOQEAPHY," " GOD WISH MEN,'* XVa 

FOURTH EDITION. 

One Volume, 12mo. Cloth Price $L 



Criticisms of the Press. 

"This is a volume of elegant and impressive essays on the domestic relations and reil- 
jrious duties of the household. Mr. Osgood writes on these interesting themes in the most 
charming and animated style, winning the reader's judgment rather than coercing it to tha 
fcathor's conclusions. The predominant sentiments in the book are purity, sincerity, and 
love. A more delightful volume has rarely been published, and we trust it will have > 
flriue circulation, for its influence must be salutary upon both old and young." — Commer 
da' Advertiser. 

•*The 'Hearth-Stone' is the symbol of all those delightful truths which Mr. Dsgood here 
oonnects with it. In a free and graceful style, varying from deep solemnitj to the most 
genial and lively tone, as befits his range of subjects, he gives attention to wise thoughts 
m holy things, and homely truths. His volume will find mur y warm hearts io which 11 
wW *ddress itself." — Christian Examiner. 



V, APPLETON & CO:S PUBLICATIONS, 



The most Anthentic and Entertaining Life of I^apoleon, 



Memoirs of Napoleon, 

HIS OOUKT AJD FAMILY. 

BY THE DUCHESS D^ABRANTES, (Madame Junot.) 

Two Yolumes, 8vo. 1134 pages. Price $4. 



Hijst of %in\ HBttjjrabiTt^s xonlatittir in t6i5 Jlluslrattlr Siritloit. 



SAPOLEON. LUCIEN BONAPARTE, 

JOSEPHINE. MARSHAL JIJNOT, 

MARIA LOUISA, CHARLES BONAPARTE, 

DUKE OF REICHSTADT, PAULINE BONAPARTE, 

MADAME LAETITIA BONAPARTE, ELIZA BONAPARTE, 
CHARLES BONAPARTE, 



JEROME BONAPARTE, 
LOUIS BONAPARTE, 
CARDINAL FESCH, 
LOUISA, QTTEEN OF PBUSSIA, 
JOSEPH BONAPARTE. 



Probably no writer has had the same op- 
portunities for becoming acquainted with 

NAPOLEON THE GEEAT 
as the Duchess D'Abrantes. Her mother 
rocked him in his cradle, and when he 
quitted Brienne and came to Paris, she guid- 
ed and protected his younger days. Scarcely 
a day passed without his Visiting her house 
during the period which preceded his depar- 
tare for Italy as 

COMMANDEE-IN-CHIEF. 

Abundant occasion was therefore had for 
watching the development of the great genius 
wno afterwards became the master of the 
greater part of Europe. 

MAESHAL JUNOT, 
who became allied to the autnor of this work 
by marriage, was the intimate friend of Na- 
poleon, and figured in most of the 

BEILLIaNT ENGAGEMENTS 
which rendered him the greatest military 
captain of the age. No interruption took 
place in the intimacy which she enjoyed, so 
that in all these scenes, embracing a period 
cf nearly 

THIETT YEAES, 

the Duchess became familiar with all the 
fwcret springs of 

NAPOLEON'S ACTIONS, 



either through her husband or by her owb 
personal knowledge and observation at th« 
Court of Napoleon. 

JOSEPHINE, 

whose life and character so peculiarly attract 
the attention of all readers, occupies a great 
part of the first volume. The character and 
the deeds of 

THE EMPEEOES AND KINGS, 

THE GEEAT MEN OF THE DAY, 

THE MAESHALS OF THE EMPIEE, 

THE DISTINGUISHED LADIES OF 

THE COUET, 

are described with minuteness, which pei 

sonal observation only admits of. The work 

is written in that 

FAMILIAE GOSSIPING STYLE, 

and so interspersed with anecdotes that the 
reader never wearies. She has put every 
thing in her book — great events and small. 

BATTLES AND BALLS, 

CO JET INTEIGUES AND BOUDOIR 

GOSSIP, 

TEEATIES AND FLIETATIONS, 

making two of the most charming volume* 
of memoirs, which will interest the read« 
in spite of himselt 



Opinions of the Press, 

*' These anecdotes of Napoleon are the best yet given to the world, "Decause the mo»1 
Jitlmate and familiar." — London Literary Gazette. 

*" We consider the performance now before us as more authentic and amusing than any 
Hther of its kind." — London Quarterly Remew. 

" Every thing relating to Napoleon is eagerly sought for and read in this country as weL 
iu in Eui ope, and this work, with its extraordinary attractions, will not fail to command 
a wide circulation. Madame Junot possessed qualifications for writing a semi-domestie 
Dtstory of the great Corsican which no other person, male or female, could command."— 
Life fllustratfid 



D. APPLETON dc CO:S PUBLICATIONS. 



lilGnX lilTERATURE, BY I.AI>I£S OF TAIiKNT. 

I. 



Juno Clifford. 



A TALE, 

BY A LADY. 

1 vol. 12mo., clotla, with two plates, $1,25, 

(From the Evening Traveller.) 
This is a work of more than ordinary ability and interest In its conception the plan la 
sortainly original. 

{From the 2^. K Farmer.) 

The unfolding of the plot, and the delineation of the characters, evince talents of a high 
order ; and it is evident that the authoress possesses a good degree of skill, if not experience 
In tliis department of literature. AVe think her work will rank above the common run of 
novels. 

{From the New Ra/cen Palladium.) 

This is one of the most fascinating books of the season, and will doubtless find many 
admirers. It is a story of American life, and most of the scenes are laid in Boston and 
New York. The characters are painted in vivid colors; the proud and stately heroine, to 
whom no more fitting name than Juno could have been applied ; her adopted son, Little 
Sunbeam and Grace Atherton will not soon be forgotten. The style is beautiful and the in^ 
terest quite absorbing. 

{From the Time Flag.) 

The conceptions of character in "Juno Clifi'ord " are almost unequalled by any 
American woman, and the plot has a straightforward intensity and directness rarely fou.nd 
in a woman's book. The death ^ cenes are inimitable, and the love passages are no sickly 
ientimontalism, but the utterance of that holy passion which outlives time and dA%th. 



LIGHT AND DARKNESS 

OR THE 

Shadow of Fate. 

A STORY OF FASHI0:N"ABLE LIFE, 
BY A LADY. 

1 vol. 12rao., cloth, 75 cts. 

{From the N. Y. Dispatch.) 
This is a pleasant and ^japhic story, the scenes of which are laid in the city of Ne-* 
York. The light and dark, or the good and bad, of fashionable life are vividly intermin* 
gled, and described by a fertile and glowing pen, with much talent and skill. 

{From the Philadelphia City Item.) 
The whole work is so complete, finished and artistic, that we cannot but anticipate a 
brilliant and successful career for the writer, if she will devote herself faithfully to the higb 
tnd influential department of art in which she has made so triumphant a dehut 

{From Godey's Lady's Book.) 
Her creations are all life-like; her scenes natural; her person ages such as one meets 
every day in the haunts of fashion or domestic life. We read her story believinc;ly. and re- 
member the characters afterwards as old acquaintances. To produce such an effect upon 
fturself is to give assurance of an accomplished artist. May this author live to write man 
•tories i.ot only of fashionable, but of all sorts of life, and rnay we have them to read. 




APPLETONS PUBLISHING ESTABLISHMENT. 



D. APPLETON & CO., 

Respectfully invite the attention of Literary and Professional Gentlemen, Heads of 
Public Institutions, the Trade, and the Public generally, to their very Extensive and 
Choice Collection of 

S T .A. 3^0- 33 -^au 2=1. 33 ^U^ O HL IE 

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN, 
Embracing the Best Editions of the Best Authors. 



THEIR OWN PUBLICATIONS 

Comprise some of the most Important Works in the English Languaffe. 



THEIR SCHOOL-BOOK PUBLICATIONS 

COYER EVERY BRANCH OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. 
^~ Catalogues furnished gratis on application to the Publishers. 



They Publish APPLETONS' 

RAILWAY AND STEAM NAVIGATION GUIDE, 

5*iil>lislied Montlily^ 

FNDER THE SUPEPwVISION OF THE RAILWAY COMPANIES. 

Illnstrated with over Sixty Maps. Price 25 cents. 




D, APPLETON dt CO:S PUBLICATIONS. 

(fbncational ®rjtt-I3ook0. ^^^^Ar 

BEZA'S Latin Testament l2nio /.... 73 

CJESAE'S Commentaries. Notes by Spencer. 12mo , 100 

(JHAMPLHTS Short and Comprehensive Greek Grammar. l2mo 75 

CICERO De Officiis, Notes by Thatcher. 12mo 00 

Select Orations. Notes by Johnson. 12mo 100 

HERODOTUS, with Notes, by Prof. Johnson. 12mo 73 

HORACE. With Notes, &c., by Lincoln. 12mo 125 

K ENDR ICX'S Greek Ollendorff. l2mo I oo 

TACITUS' Histories, Notes by Tyler. 12mo 1 2f 

Germania and Agricola. Notes by do. 12mo C 

XENOPHON'S Memorabilia. Notes by Robbins. New rev. edit. 12mo 10 

SALLUST, with Notes by Prof. Butler. 12mo 

KUHNER'S Elementary Greek Grammar. By Edwards and Taylor 

New unproved ecliiiou. r2mo 1 fiO 

LIVY. With Notes, <kc., by Lincoln. 12mo. Map 100 

QUINTUS CURTIUS RUFUS' Life and &ploit8 of Alexander the Great 

Edited and illustrated, with English Notes, by Professor Crosby. 12mo 1 00 

SOPHOCLES' Oedipus Tyrannns. "^Viih English Notes, by Howard 

Crosby. l*2mo 75 

FRENCH. \ 

BADOIS'S Grammar for Frenchmen to learn English i vol. 12mo 1 00 

KEY to do. 50 

CHOUQUET'S French Conversations and Dialogues. l8mo 50 

Young Ladies' Guide to French Composition. i2mo 75 I 

COLLOrS Dramatic French Reader. I'^mo 1 00 

COUTAN, A., Choix de Poesies. I'^mo 1 oc 

DE FTVA'S Elementary French Reader. i6mo 50 

Classic do 12mo 1 00 

FENELON'S TELEMAQUE. Edited by Surenne. 1 vol. 18mo 50 

or bound in 2 vols. 18mo 02 

Le Nouveau Testament. Par J. F. Ostervald. 3t2mo 38 

OLLENDORFF'S New Method of Learning French. Edited by J. L. Jewett. 

l*2mo 10 

Method of Learning French. By V. Value. i2mo l 

KEY to each VOL 7. 

First Lessons in French. By G. W. Greene. l8mo 50 

COMPANION to Ollendorff's French Grammar. By G. w. Greene. l2mo 75 

OLLENDORFF'S Grammar for Spaniards to Learn French. By Simonne. l2nio, 2 00 

ROEMER'S First French Reader, i-^mo 1 oo 

Second do. l2nio 1 95 

ROWAN'S Modem French Reader. i2mo 75 

SIMONNE'S Treatise on French Verbs, ivol r 

SPIERS' and Surenne's Complete French and English, and English and 

French Dictionary. With Pronunciation, dec, &c. One large 8vo. volume, 

of 1490 pp Sheep, 3 

SPIERS AND SUBENNFS Standard Pronouncing Dictionary of the French 
and English Languages. (School Edition.) Containing 973 pp. 13mo, new 

and large type 1 ;9 

SURENNE'S French and E ng lish and English and French Dictionary, 

16mo. 563 pp DO 

French Manual and Traveller's Ckmipanion. i5mo 62 

VOLTAIRE'S Histoire de Charles XIL Par Surenne. l8mo 50 




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